Upton Hall, Nottinghamshire
{{Short description|Building in Upton, Nottinghamshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Upton Hall
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| image = Upton Hall - geograph.org.uk - 4563.jpg
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| map_type = Nottinghamshire
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| architectural_style = Greek Revival style
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| client = Thomas Wright (1773-1845)
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| coordinates = {{coord|53.082672|-0.904158|display=inline,title}}
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| start_date = 1828
| completion_date = 1832
| opened_date = 1832
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| renovation_date = 1895
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| architect = W J Donthome
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| designations = Grade II* listed building
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Upton Hall is the headquarters of the British Horological Institute (BHI) in Upton, Newark and Sherwood, Nottinghamshire, England. It has been the headquarters since 1972. It also houses the Museum of Timekeeping consisting of a substantial collection of clocks, watches and also a library. The Museum is open to the public during seasonal summer opening hours, for special events and for pre-booked Group tours.
History
The Hall was built in 1828 by Thomas Wright (1773-1845), a banker of Nottinghamshire. It was designed by the architect William Donthorne.{{cite book |last1=Pevsner |first1=Nikolaus |last2=Williamson |first2=Elizabeth |title=The Buildings of England. Nottinghamshire |date=March 1979 |publisher=Yale University Press |page=361 |isbn=9780300096361}}
The hall was purchased in 1895 by John Warwick, a brewer of the firm 'Warwick & Richardson' based in Newark. He used it as a family home. He added a ballroom, a billiards room, and a further six bedrooms. In 1936 the property was bought by Sir Albert Ball, though he never took up residence there.
In 1952 the hall was declared a listed building. It is now a Grade II* listed building,{{National Heritage List for England |num=1179760 |desc= UPTON HALL |accessdate=8 November 2016}} making it one of the most treasured 5% of all buildings in the UK.
The property is listed by Historic England on the Heritage at Risk Register.{{cite web| url = https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/heritage-at-risk/search-register/list-entry/166641| title = Upton Hall, Main Road, Upton - Newark and Sherwood {{!}} Historic England}} Roof coverings are in fair condition but rainwater disposal is poor, with corresponding internal dampness and signs of active dry rot. The adjacent stables and courtyard structures contribute to the setting of the hall and are now in very poor condition and all at significant risk of loss.
The building was purchased by the BHI in 1972, where its headquarters have been ever since.
=Owners=
- Thomas and Frances Wright 1828 - 1845
- Revd. Joseph Banks Wright and Sophia Wright 1845
- Philip Richard Falkner and Alicia Falkner 1857 - 1888
- Mary Frances Falkner 1888 - 1894
- John Francis Warwick and Eliza Gertrude Warwick 1895 - 1935
- Sir Albert Ball 1936 - 1939
- Holy Ghost Fathers (Roman Catholic College) 1939 - 1972
- British Horological Institute 1972 - current
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.bhi.co.uk/tour/uptonhal.htm History of Upton Hall on the BHI's website]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060819094236/http://www.bhi.co.uk/tour/start.htm A virtual tour of Upton Hall on the BHI's website]
Category:Country houses in Nottinghamshire
Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Nottinghamshire