Gazetteer of
British Place Names

Stanford Hall is a stately home near Swinford, Leicestershire. Ancestral home of the Cave family from c. 1430, the hall was built in the 1697 for Sir Roger Cave. It has been described by Simon Jenkins as the 'perfect William and Mary house', and has been in the same family for over 300 years. It is surrounded by 700 acres of ancient parkland rich in natural history and beauty. Some of the parkland is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest called Stanford Park due to the diversity of lichen species on the trees. The aviation pioneer Percy Pilcher built some of his early gliders here in the 1890s; he also built a powered flying machine here that many historians believe was capable of flight, but he was killed nearby in an accident in 1899 before he could try it. After the second world war the roof was in serious need of repair, but the Historic Buildings Council recommended a large grant for restoration and the hall was opened to the public in 1958. Today it is open to the public on limited days in the year and can be hired for weddings and events. The grounds of the hall are used for concerts and classic car shows, including the Wartburg/Trabant/IFA Club Rally and since 1983 has hosted the annual National Mini Day for owners of Mini cars. The grounds hosted the first Stanford Hall Half Marathon and 10k running race in March 2014. Since 2003 Stanford Hall has been host to Firework Champions – the UK's leading firework competition. It is within the council area of Harborough (Leicestershire).
Historic England Grade I Listed 1188550.

Place Type: Historic House
Historic County: Leicestershire
Lat, Long: 52.408641,-1.1379204
Grid Reference: SP 5874 7930
Civil Parish: Westrill and Starmore CP
Council Area: Harborough CA (Leicestershire CA)
Police Area: Leicestershire PA

GBPN ID: 304656
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Stanford_Hall,_Leicestershire_304656

 Peruse Leicestershire on Wikishire