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England |
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Hutton in the Forest
Summary
A lovely historic house in a quiet north Cumbrian village, Hutton-in-the-Forest
boasts a Stuart limestone facade, which is dwarfed by two towers,
one a surviving pele tower from the 14th century, the other a false
Gothic giant constructed in the 19th century.
The interior is a mix
of Regency and Victorian rooms, including original William Morris
wallpaper. The same family has been here since 1605. The grounds
of Hutton-in-the-Forest contain a classical array of terraces, topiary,
walled garden, and dovecote. Fine specimen trees make a woodland
stroll a pleasure.
History
The story of the building of Hutton-in-the-Forest covers over 500 years. The
oldest part of the house is the Pele Tower, built around 1350. Pele
towers are a feature of northern English architecture. They are defensible
tower houses, a reminder of the often violent life could be close to
the Scottish border. The Pele would originally have been surrounded
by a moat, but this has long since disappeared.
 The Families of Hutton
It is extraordinary to think that
over the course of seven hundred years only two families have own Hutton-in-the-Forest.
The first was the de Hoton family. Thomas de Hoton was Crown
Forester to Edward I, at the time when Hutton was part of the Royal
Forest of Inglewood. In the late 13th century Inglewood was the second
largest royal forest in the country, so Hoton's appointment indicates
that he was considered a man of no little importance.
The de Hoton family were resident at Hutton until 1605
when the estate was purchased by Richard Fletcher of Cockermouth. The
Fletchers have owned the house ever since, though the name of
the family has changed in the interval to Vane Fletcher, and then to
its current permutation, Fletcher Vane. It was the first of the Fletchers,
Richard, who began the transformation of Hutton from a fortified manor
into its current status as a comfortable country house estate. Hutton's
darkest hour came in 1745 when the house was occupied by supporters
of Bonnie Prince Charlie in the Stuart attempt to seize the throne.
The House
 Hutton
is built in an L shape, with the main house block forming two sides
of a walled courtyard. The frontage is largely 17th century, of classical
design, joined sympathetically to the Pele Tower. The interior is a
wonderful mix of the old and the new-by-comparison. The stone vaulting
of the Pele Tower gives way to Victorian Gothic and William Morris
wallpaper. There is beautiful wooden paneling, largely Jacobean, and
lovely period furniture.
The Gardens
Hutton is surrounded by woodlands; it truly is 'in-the-Forest'. The
land falls way on two sides to landscaped gardens of lawn and topiary.
A formal terrace leads behind the house to a lovely rhododendron
garden designed in 1870 by Anthony Salvin under the patronage of
Lady Vane. There is a Walled Garden area given to riotous colour
in season, and woodland walks. In the garden is a 17th century dovecot
holding over 400 nesting boxes. In the grounds is St James church,
a deceptively simple church which has existed here since at least
the 13th century. The current building is largely 18th century, and
it houses an 11th century Viking cross.
Our visit
We had the misfortune to visit Hutton-in-the-Forest on a blustery,
gray day, but it was still a pleasure. The staff were exceedingly
helpful, and went out of their way to make our visit enjoyable. There
were quizzes for the children, stewards to answer questions in most
rooms of the house, and they even had a very handy brolly to loan
us for our walk around the garden. One pleasing touch was that there
was a large children's trampoline in a corner of the private lawn
area, a reminder that Hutton is very much a family home, not a museum
piece. All in all, we had a very enjoyable visit, and would certainly
go back again, though, hopefully in nicer weather! 
Heritage Highlights
- 13th century pele tower
- 17th century dovecot
- 17th century Gallery and East Front
Details
Hutton-in-the-Forest
Penrith
Lake District
Cumbria
England
CA11 9TH
Location: 6 m NW Penrith, on B5305
Website: Hutton-in-the-Forest
Email: info@hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk
Phone: 017684 84449
Fax: 017684 84571
map
OS NY460 358
ENTRY: fee charged
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