Lamport Hall

Lamport Hall in 1898 when it was owned by Sir Charles Isham.

In 1568 John Isham, a wealthy wool merchant, built a manor house on the Lamport Estate. His grandson, also named John, became the first baronet in 1627 during the reign of Charles I. He extended the house considerably. However, the only remains of this structure is a section of the present stable wing.

It was Sir Justinian Isham who built the main existing building. In 1655 he commissioned John Webb, a pupil of Inigo Jones, to design a large two-story home. The next major additions were to the south-west front and the north. These were completed in 1741. The gates on the main road date from 1824 and were designed by Henry Hakewill[2]

In 1842 further major rebuilding of the south east front was completed, and later Sir Charles Isham commissioned the building of a new façade with porch to the north-west front, which is now the distinctive main entrance to the Hall.[3] This was completed in 1862. The tower was built about the same time.[2]

By about 1950 the house had considerably deteriorated, and the then owner Sir Gyles Isham undertook major renovation works and allowed the ground floor to be opened to the public in 1974. When he died he left the building and its contents to the Lamport Hall Preservation Trust, who care for the Hall and Gardens today.

Sir Charles Isham c. 1850.

Sir Charles Isham near the gates at Lamport Hall when he was aged about 80.

Charles Isham inherited Lamport Hall at about the age of 26 in 1846 when his elder brother Justinian died. He had a particular interest in gardening and his garden featured in many of the journals of that day. Of particular interest to many of the journalists was the rockery which still exists today. Some of the descriptions of this feature were as follows.

In 1872 the Journal of Horticulture, Cottage Gardener and Country Gentleman made the following comment.

This rockwork is the great feature of the gardening at Lamport, and is a striking evidence of Sir Charles Isham's fine taste and wonderful patience. The whole is his own handiwork, and has occupied a period of two and twenty years to bring it to its present high perfection.[4]

In 1897 the Gardeners Chronicle said

It may be said here that every stone of which the structure is composed has been placed in position by the owner himself, or by his direction, and in his presence. He has done the planting and no other person has anything to do with it unless by his instruction ... We should have been none the wiser had Sir Charles not explained that he had chiseled a small hole through the centre of the stone, and put soil into it, so that the roots of the plant could by that means reach the ground through the stone. No plant that grows quickly is a favorite for this structure. Everything is in miniature, and if the plants are not so naturally, then their cultivation is directed to that end. It is full of plant curiosities. A stunted individual that refuses to make free growth is just the kind of plant that is sought. Dwarf Conifers form one of its features, and Sir Charles has been at some trouble to procure them. Some of them are known to be upwards of seventy years old, and have not made more than 3 feet natural growth.[5]

This rockery was particularly noted for the gnomes that it housed. The magazine called The Garden contained the following description of them.

The caves and recesses with the fairy miners are another distinctive feature. These miniature figures (only a few inches high) are in various attitudes and in strange association with the dwarf trees. In one section they are on strike, hands in pockets, with a general aspect of disdain and indignation.[6]

Photos of the rockery and gnomes are shown in the gallery below.

One of the gnomes in this remarkable rockery survives and is on view at Lamport Hall today. A photo of the replica of this gnome is shown below.

• 
  The rockery in 1897 showing the miniature plants
• 
  A group of gnomes who represent miners on strike in 1897
• 
  Gnomes on the rockery who are engaged in mining activities in 1897
• 
  Gnomes in the rockery in 1898 with accompanying story written by Sir Charles Isham
• 
  Gnomes in the rockery in 1898 with accompanying story by Sir Charles Isham
• 
  The rockery today, which can be seen at Lamport Hall
• 
  A replica of Lampy the Lamport gnome, which is the only surviving gnome

• Lamport Hall
• Lamport Hall – Gardens Guide review