Apley Hall, Country house in Stockton, England
Apley Hall is a Gothic Revival mansion in Stockton, England, featuring battlemented parapets, mullioned windows, and a grand central staircase sourced from historic Herefordshire estates. The building later became five separate residences, with additional homes created within a converted two-story stable block that surrounds a courtyard.
The Whitmore family held the estate from 1572 until 1867, when ironmaster William Orme Foster became the owner. This change in ownership brought new purposes and eventually led to major modifications of the property.
The Gothic design inspired author P.G. Wodehouse when creating Blandings Castle, his fictional estate featured in multiple novels. Walking through the rooms, you can see the architectural details that shaped his literary imagination.
The property is now divided into private residences, so visitor access is limited and depends on current residents' availability. Check ahead to see what exterior features and architectural details are visible from public areas.
The orangery was transformed in the 1930s into a private indoor swimming pool, which records indicate was among the first of its kind in Britain. This conversion reflected the wealth and forward-thinking vision of the property's owners at that time.
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