A Jacobean Legacy Rooted in Industry and Innovation

The Hall is a striking Jacobean mansion with origins in the early 17th century, steeped in history and industrial heritage.

Over the centuries, it has been home to influential figures connected to Britain’s booming woollen, rubber, and automotive industries. In the 19th and 20th centuries, The Hall stood at the crossroads of industrial progress, hosting pioneers whose innovations shaped Great Britain.

Today, this Grade I-listed Jacobean mansion stands as a testament to centuries of craftsmanship, engineering brilliance, and industrial ambition—its historic rooms and architectural details showcasing the legacy of the woollen, rubber, and automotive pioneers who once shaped its story.

Black and white photo of a man in a suit standing on stairs with his hands in his pockets, next to two bicycles, in front of a decorative stone railing.

The Hall Timeline

1610

Described as "the best-built house for the quality of a gentleman in Wiltshire" by John Aubrey, the 17th-century antiquarian and writer, The Hall was built in 1610 for John Hall, a local wealthy mill owner, over an existing manor house that was remodelled into the Jacobean manor house it is today.

1640

The Hall family rose to become among the elite of their time. Thomas Hall, son of John Hall (the original builder of The Hall), married Catherine Seymour—the daughter of Sir Edward Seymour. Catherine’s lineage was nothing short of illustrious: her father was the great-grandson of Edward Seymour, Lord Protector during the minority of Edward VI, and brother to Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII and mother of the young king.

1660

Thomas Hall was succeeded in the mid-1660s by his son—also named John—who married Elizabeth Thynne, a member of the distinguished Thynne family of Longleat. After the death of John Hall, the estate passed through his illegitimate daughter Rachel Bayntun via a special act of parliament after marrying into one of England’s most powerful families.

1726

Upon Rachel's death, her son, Evelyn Pierrepont, became the 2nd Duke of Kingston-upon-Hull and would inherit The Hall and numerous lands near and around Bath Abbey as the city rose to fame. Known as “the handsomest man in England,” he was a prominent early excavator of the Roman Baths. In 1755, he began developing the Kingston Estate, starting with the demolition of Abbey House.

1773

Evelyn Pierrepont secretly married Elizabeth Chudleigh, a bold and controversial figure already wed to another man. After Evelyn’s death in 1773, a legal battle over his will exposed Elizabeth’s bigamy. She was found guilty at Westminster Hall in 1776 but avoided punishment due to her title. With her disgrace and Evelyn’s death, the Pierrepont line ended, and The Hall later passed to Evelyn’s descendants.

1796

The Hall passed to Evelyn’s nephew, Charles Meadows, later Viscount Newark and Earl Manvers. No longer needing the estate, he sold it in 1805 to London industrialist Thomas Divett, who used it as a workshop, store, and housing for weavers. As Bradford on Avon’s woollen industry declined, The Hall fell into disrepair.

1848

In the 19th century, The Hall became home to Stephen Moulton, an industrial pioneer who brought rubber vulcanisation to Britain. As the local woollen trade in Bradford on Avon declined, The Hall emerged as a hub of innovation—sparking a new industrial era that would reshape the local economy and Britain’s industrial landscape.

1900

Stephen Moulton died in 1880, aged 86. His youngest surviving son, John Moulton, inherited The Hall and the business, which merged in 1891 with George Spencer & Co. to form the George Spencer Moulton Rubber Company. John and his wife Alice became respected figures in Bradford on Avon, supporting local institutions like the public baths and technical school.

1950

Upon the death of his grandmother, engineer and inventor Dr. Alex Moulton acquired full ownership of The Hall. For over six decades, Alex Moulton lived alone in The Hall, dedicating himself to engineering innovation and preserving the grandeur of the house he cherished. His distinguished life came to a close in 2012, leaving behind not only a remarkable legacy of invention but also a deep and enduring connection to one of England’s finest Jacobean houses.

Residents of The Hall

  • A photograph of a marble bust of a man's profile, framed in an ornate gold frame, against a plain green background.

    John Hall

    Originally built in 1610, The Hall was constructed for John Hall, a wealthy clothier whose success in the local wool trade reflected the prosperity of Bradford on Avon during the 17th century. The Halls were prominent figures in the local community, their legacy enduring through the house that still bears their name.

  • A classical style portrait of a woman with fair skin, brown hair, and blue eyes, wearing a blue garment. The portrait is framed with an ornate gold frame. The background is solid green.

    Rachel Bayntun

    Rachel Bayntun, the illegitimate daughter of John Hall, inherited The Hall through a special Act of Parliament. At 15, she married William Pierrepont, heir to the Duke of Kingston, but was widowed two years later. She later had two children with Lord Lumley and died in 1722 aged 27, said to be of a broken heart.

  • A portrait of a young woman in 18th-century attire, framed with an ornate gold frame, set against a muted green background.

    Evelyn Pierrepont

    Evelyn Pierrepont, 2nd Duke of Kingston upon Hull, was a British nobleman and the son of Rachel Bayntun and William Pierrepont, who inherited The Hall in 1726. Known as “the handsomest man in England” and an early excavator of the Roman Baths, he married Elizabeth Chudleigh in a scandalous union.

  • Painting of a woman with a light-colored dress, framed in an ornate gold frame, set against a plain green background.

    Elizabeth Chudleigh

    Elizabeth Chudleigh was a controversial figure in Georgian society. Maid of Honour to Princess Augusta, she secretly married Augustus Hervey before later marrying Evelyn Pierrepont, 2nd Duke of Kingston. When her first marriage was exposed, she became the first woman in Britain to be criminalised for bigamy.

  • Black and white portrait of a man with facial hair, wearing formal attire, in an ornate gold frame against a green background.

    Stephen Moulton

    Stephen Moulton was an industrial pioneer who introduced the rubber industry to Bradford on Avon. After collaborating with Charles Goodyear in America, he brought the process of vulcanised rubber to Britain, not only reshaping local industry but also inspiring renowned engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

  • A black and white portrait of a man in formal attire, framed with an ornate gold frame on a muted green background.

    John Moulton

    John Moulton was the son of industrial pioneer Stephen Moulton and continued his father’s legacy in the rubber industry at Bradford-on-Avon. Under his leadership, the family business expanded its production and reputation for engineering excellence, alongside the preservation of The Hall.

  • A black-and-white photo of a man in military uniform with a crossbody strap, framed in an ornate gold frame, against a muted green background.

    Eric Moulton

    Charles “Eric” Moulton was the second son of John and Alice Moulton, serving as a second lieutenant in the 6th Wiltshire Regiment during the First World War. Deployed to Northern France, Eric was fatally wounded on 16 September 1915 aged 26. His mother honored him with a memorial at Christchurch in Bradford-on-Avon.

  • A black and white portrait of a woman dressed in historical clothing, wearing a large feathered hat, inside an ornate gold frame against a green background.

    Alice Moulton

    Alice Moulton, wife of John Moulton, was a woman of deep Christian faith and a respected figure in Bradford-on-Avon. Following the deaths of her husband and two sons, Alice devoted herself to preserving The Hall and maintaining the Moulton family legacy alongside her three grandchildren, ensuring that the estate and its heritage endured for future generations.

  • Portrait of an older man with glasses, wearing a checkered jacket, blue shirt, and patterned tie, inside an ornate gold frame.

    Alex Moulton

    Dr. Alex Moulton was an innovative engineer and inventor best known for creating the Moulton bicycle and pioneering the rubber suspension systems used in the iconic Mini. A descendant of Stephen Moulton, he continued the family’s tradition of engineering excellence, transforming The Hall into a centre of design, creativity and invention.

History, Heritage, and Fascinating Stories

  • An old, abandoned indoor pool area with water in the pool, surrounded by weathered stone and concrete walls, arched windows with grime, and a decorated ceiling with painted circles.

    A Historical Connection - The Roman Baths and The Hall

    Find out how The Hall and the Roman Baths have much more in common than you think.

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  • A classical oil portrait of a woman with dark brown hair, fair skin, wearing a cream-colored dress with lace trim and a draped shawl, against a dark background.

    Elizabeth Chudleigh - The Dishonourable Duchess

    Learn about the woman who would scandalise Georgian society and a remarkable figure who has a noteworthy tie with The Hall.

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  • A sepia-toned image of a man dressed in 19th-century attire, including a tall top hat, smoking a pipe, standing in front of a large wall of rusty chains.

    Rubber and Iron - Isambard Kingdom Brunel and The Hall

    Explore the historical link with the renowned civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and The Hall.

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The Hall Herald

Uncover the rich history, hidden stories, and ongoing journey of The Hall. Explore the fascinating people, architecture, and events that have shaped this magnificent Grade I-listed Jacobean mansion.

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