Ashbourne House, a name that echoes through the annals of history, represents more than just a physical structure. It embodies centuries of stories, families, and events that have shaped its identity.
Ashbourne Hall from its Park (c.
Earlier Houses and the Cockayne Family
There was an earlier Medieval house on, or near, the site of the 18th century house. The Cockayne family settled in Ashbourne in the 12th Century as lords of the manor. The Cockayne family's Ashbourne Hall was built during the reign of Henry III in the 13th century. Ashbourne Hall served as their family seat and most of the family were buried in the Cockayne Chapel at nearby Ashbourne Parish Church.
The family also owned the nearby manors of Sturston Hall, Bradley and of Pooley hall in Polesworth, Warwickshire. Sir Aston Cockayne, First Baronet Cockayne of Ashbourne, was a cavalier, author and poet. He was friends with Charles I from whom he received his baronetcy for support during the civil war. Sir Aston used the hall as a dower house for his mother, Anne. He lived at his manor of Pooley hall for most of the English Interregnum, joining Charles II in exile for a short time.
Key Individuals and Events
- Sir Aston Cockayne, 1st Bt.: Lived at the earlier house until 1671.
- Cockayne family: Resided here from the 12th to the 17th century.
The Boothby Era
Sir William Boothby bought the hall in 1671 and his family lived there until the mid-19th century. The original hall was demolished during the Boothby's time, and replaced by the present Georgian structure. The land that Brookby incorporated into the hall's lands meant that a road called Cockayne Avenue had to be closed.
Read also: The Story of New Africa House
Notable Boothby Family Members:
- Sir William Boothby, 1st Bt., 1671-1707
- Sir Henry Boothby, 2nd Bt., 1707-10
- Sir William Boothby, 3rd Bt., 1710-31
- Sir William Boothby, 4th Bt., 1731-87
- Sir Brooke Boothby, 5th Bt., 1787-89
- Sir Brooke Boothby, 6th Bt., 1789-1824
- Sir William Boothby, 7th Bt., 1824
- Sir William Boothby, 8th Bt., 1824-46
Sir Brooke Boothby, 6th Baronet married in 1784 and leased the hall from his father. He began the restoration of Ashbourne Hall using his wife's dowry to renovate the structure, remodel the parkland, purchase rare plants and obtain works of art. Boothby, like his father before him, was extravagant. The hall was modified when additional land was included for Brooke Boothby which was the same year as the Scots arrived.
โจ ๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐น๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ดโฆ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐๐ป๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ ๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐น๐ โจ
Later Ownership and Use
In 1846, on the death of Sir William Boothby, 9th baronet, the hall was put up for auction in London. The Hall was sold to Robert Hayston Frank, a solicitor, in 1861. He later became a magistrate and lived there with his family until his death in 1883. He is buried at the Hall. His widow sold the property for 48,000 plus pounds. Documented by probate documents for Derbyshire in 1883.
It was occupied during the First World War by German prisoners of War. The Ashbourne Red Cross also used it. By 1920 the hall was converted into flats and during the Second World War, evacuees were living in a part of it.
Ashbourne Hall Today
The hall is owned by Claire Woodroffe and Michael Cottrell, Ashbourne based family who are property investors and have tourism businesses in the area. A section of the hall is now home to the Ashbourne Freemasons and to Betty's Sewing Box and Tea rooms.
Read also: Designs and Costs: Kenya House Plans
Parkland and Gardens
The parkland opposite Ashbourne Hall was created for the Cockayne Family in the early Tudor period, for hunting. Parts of Ashbourne Hall's parkland is today a public park. It was developed in the late 18th century by the Boothbys into an ornamental park of around 40 acres.
Read also: The Story Behind Laniakea Beach House
Popular articles:
tags: #Africa
