Gaddesden Place

Gaddesden Place in Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire was designed by architect James Wyatt and built between 1768 and 1773, and was the home of the noted Hertfordshire Halsey family.

The Halseys moved to Great Gaddesden in 1458 and later became lessees of the Rectory of Gaddesden until March 12, 1545. When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries during the Reformation, he granted the estate to William Halsey. Thomas Halsey MP (1731–1788) tore down the original structure in 1773 after a fire and erected Gaddesden Place in its stead, to Wyatt's design. [http://www.thomjoy.us/halsey.html]

Gaddesden Place is said to be Wyatt's first country work and represents his conformity at the start of his active career to the English Palladian tradition. The house is set in an elevated position overlooking the Gade Valley and is said to enjoy one of the finest views in the Home Counties. The conservatory was added in 1891 and has recently been extensively restored. Gaddesden Place was gutted by fire, on the 1 February, 1905, and was subsequently rebuilt. The quadrant links and north and south pavilions were demolished in 1955 and 1963 because of dry rot. The house and its grounds have been frequently used as film locations. [http://www.xaraonline.com/home/company/location.htm] , including a recent appearance in "Lewis". [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/mystery/lewis/notes_locations.html]

The building, which is listed as Grade II, has been the headquarters of internet company Xara Online since 1984.

External links

* [http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/places/great-gaddesden.htm The Gaddesden Place fire of 1905]
* [http://www.xaraonline.com/home/company/location.htm Gaddesden Place and Xara Online]
* [http://www.thomjoy.us/halsey.html The Halseys and Gaddesden Place]