Soulton Hall

Soulton Hall is a country house in Shropshire, England, located two miles east of the town of Wem, on the B5065.

History

The manor of Soulton existed at the time of the Domesday Book and is recorded as “Svltune”.

The building on the present site was pre-dated by a Norman motte-and-bailey castle which became a fortified manor house. This was located approximately 300 meters to the northeast of the present building. Its location is marked by a mound which can still be seen. This building is believed to have burnt down at some point in the late fourteenth century. It is supposed that when the manor house came to be re-built, re-using some of the original materials, the new site was chosen because it was dryer and more amenable.

Present buildings

What can be seen externally of the present hall is constructed of brick with Grinshill stone dressings. This exterior of the building was constructed in approximately 1550 by Sir Rowland Hill, who was the first Protestant Lord Mayor of London.

Within the building are traces of an older Tudor or medieval building of timber frame construction, thought to date from the late 1400s.

In 1668 a semi-circular pediment bearing the marital coat of arms of Thomas Hill was added above the front door.

Within the grounds of the hall are thought to be the remains of extensive medieval gardens. There are also some eighteenth century farm buildings.

Soulton Hall is a Grade II* listed building, along with its walled gardens, pillared forecourt and carved stone work.

It is now a hotel.

External links

* [http://www.soultonhall.co.uk/soulton/history.html The history page of the Soulton Hall website]