Difference between revisions of "Abbot Hall"

Revision as of 15:27, 27 September 2017

In Kirkland adjacent to Kendal Parish Church, accessed from Peppercorn Lane car park, backing on to the river. Postcode LA9 5AL

Currently used by Abbot Hall Art Gallery

Curwen, 1900 p124-125

So named after the old house built on the church lands where the stables now are, granted to St Mary's Abbey, York, and which was probably the abbot's residence or place where he held his court. How the site became private property is not known, but the present hall was built in 1759, at the cost of £8000, by Colonel George Wilson of Dallam Tower. John Carr, Lord Mayor of York, was the architect.

It is said that the somewhat modern carriageway was made on account of an accident happening to a Duke's carriage in the narrow Peppercorn Lane , which was at first the only entrance to the Hall.

Colonel Walk is supposed to have taken its name from the Colonel's habit of walking there. He also widened the river on the east side, so as to prevent, if possible, the overflowing of the stream on to his beautiful grounds. The hall was put up for sale in the year 1768, when the eminent English judge Sir Alan Chambre, purchased the property. He resided here until 1802, at which date it was again sold to Christopher Wilson, banker. Sir Alan died at the Crown Inn, Harrogate, September 30th, 1823, aged 83, and was buried at the Chambre chapel of our parish church.

There are about six acres of beautiful grounds adjoining the hall, the whole of which were purchased by the Corporation in 1896 for the sum of £3750, towards which cost the directors of the Kendal Bank for Savings contributed £2,500, in consideration of the pleasure grounds being dedicated and thrown open to then public. The Bank Directors also caused to be erected a freestone monolith fountain in commemoration of this, upon the four sides of which are representations of the intricate knots and bands to be met with on the best known runic columns in the district.