Finding peace at Hawkstone Hall

Hawkstone Hall

The suggestion that Hawkstone Hall is a location that abounds with peace and tranquility will hardly surprise.

However, the idea that it is a centre of international importance might well raise a few eyebrows.

Hawkstone Hall, owned by Roman Catholic group the Redeptorist Fathers, attracts people from around the world eager to inject a little calm into their lives.

In August there's a rare opportunity to find out what draws people to the hall when it opens to the public.

Set in the beautiful North Shropshire countryside around Weston-under-Redcastle, Hawkstone Hall has been owned by the Redemptorists since 1926. It was originally bought as a seminary, to train priests.

Inside Hawkstone Hall

In the 1970s the hall was turned into a pastoral centre to provide peace and encouragement for others, not just prospective priests. Today people come to to Hawkstone Hall from across the world to attend a variety of courses and conferences.

Hawkstone Park is separately owned by Hawkstone Hotel (since 1990), now part of the Principal Hayley group.

Hawkstone Hall

As well as the Grade I listed Georgian house, Hawkstone Hall also includes beautiful gardens and a series of woodland walks.

Unlike the park, Hawkstone Hall isn't generally open to the public. However, for a fortnight at the end of August, the Redemptorists offer visitors a rare view of the hall and its grounds.

Hawkstone Hall is open to the public 1-5pm; 14-31 August. For more information and admission details visit the website .

Sister Laurice McMullan lives and works at Hawkstone Hall and said she was looking forward to welcoming visitors: "There's something about the warm atmosphere... and lived-in house that gives a difference to other stately homes."

History

The Hawkstone estate was owned by the Hill family from 1556 to 1906. Sir Rowland Hill purchased Hawkstone after the demise of the Audleys (the builders of the original red castle).

After 1700 Richard Hill's money rebuilt the family seat at Hawkstone. His nephew Roland Hill added to the hall and also turned his attention to building the park's extensive follies, inspired by the dramatic sandstone crags.

The hall and estate were extended and developed by subsequent generations, and the landscaping put Hawkstone firmly on the map. By the end of the Georgian period Hawkstone was one of the country's top tourist attractions.

However, by the end of the 19th Century the family were bankrupt, the contents of the hall were sold and in 1906 the estate was split up and sold off.