The Hall: A Grand Tapestry of History and Heritage

Black and white illustration of a large, ornate historic building with multiple bay windows and intricate details. A small cottage is visible in the foreground with trees and a person sitting on the porch. A stone staircase leads to the entrance of the main building.
Victorian-era illustration of a grand, stone, Gothic-style mansion with ornate windows and people in period clothing in the foreground, including a person on horseback.

Welcome to The Hall, a historic Jacobean manor that has been known by many names over the centuries, including the Great House, the Duke’s House, and Kingston House, before returning to its original name.

Built around 1610 by John Hall—though the exact date remains unknown—The Hall reflects the family's rise from wealthy clothiers to landed gentry, with much of their wealth invested in property. It is believed to stand on the site of an earlier medieval manor house that was extensively remodelled.

As a Grade I listed building, The Hall is a fine example of Jacobean architecture, a style that flourished during the reign of James I. While the identity of its designer remains uncertain, it has been linked to Robert Smythson, renowned for his work on Longleat. However, recent evidence suggests it may have been the work of William Arnold, the architect behind Montacute House.

Over the years, The Hall has been home to a series of fascinating owners, each leaving their mark on both the house and the town.

Ornate gold frame featuring a black and white image of a historical building with gothic architecture, including bay windows and stone facade, set against a green background. Text reads "History of the Hall."

(1570 - 1631) John Hall

The Hall was built in 1610 by John Hall, a local wealthy mill owner over an existing Medieval house that already existed on the grounds. The original Hall family would leave their mark on the estate, engraving their stone faces above the chimney in the study of the house, which can still be seen today.

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Sir Thomas Hall (1600–1663)

Commissioner in Wiltshire for King Charles I, Sir Thomas Hall, inherited The Hall upon his father's death.

John Hall (1632 - 1711)

Following his father's death, John Hall, a member of Parliament for Wells, Somerset, became head of The Hall. He had no legitimate children and left the estate to his great-niece, Rachel Baynton, who was reputedly his illegitimate daughter.

Rachel Baynton (1695 - 1722)

The rumoured illegitimate daughter of John Hall, Rachel Baynton of Little Chalfield inherited The Hall upon his death when she was fifteen years old.

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(1711 – 1773) Evelyn Pierrepont

Famed as an early excavator of the famous Roman Baths, the Second Duke of Kingston, Evelyn Pierrepont “the handsomest man in England” would inherit the Hall upon his mother's death.

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Elizabeth Chudleigh (1721 - 1788)

The Duchess of Kingston would commit perjury by beginning an improper liaison with Evelyn Pierrepont. After the Second Duke of Kingston died, Elizabeth inherited The Hall and used it as a holiday home.

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(1778 - 1860) Charles Meadows

After Elizabeth died in 1788, The Hall passed to Evelyn’s nephew, Charles Meadows, who later was created Viscount Newark in 1796 and Earl Manvers in 1806. In the early 1800s, Charles sold the estate.

(1769 - 1828) Thomas Divett

In 1805, the estate was bought by Thomas Divett, a London industrialist who used The Hall as a workshop, store, and accommodation for weavers. In the 19th century, the woollen industry in Bradford on Avon was in serious decline, and The Hall became derelict and fell into disrepair.

Stephen Moulton (1794 - 1880)

Stephen Moulton, a pioneer of rubber engineering, bought the estate and restored The Hall to its former glory.

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(1839 - 1925) John Moulton

A notable benefactor of the town, John Moulton, would reside in The Hall upon his father's death.

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(1864 - 1941) Alice Moulton

Upon her husband John’s death, widow Alice Moulton was left to manage The Hall and bring up her three grandchildren alone - successfully steering the estate through the turmoil of the Great Depression.

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Alex Moulton (1920 - 2012)

Engineer and inventor Alex Moulton would take ownership of The Hall in 1949. Remembered for his pioneering engineering achievements, Dr Moulton called The Hall his home, living and working within the magnificent Grade I-listed Jacobean mansion.

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Alex Moulton Charitable Trust

After he died in 2012, Dr Moulton gifted The Hall to the Alex Moulton Charitable Trust. The Trust continues to preserve and maintain The Hall and its historic collections - showcasing engineering and design and promoting the estate as a venue for guided tours, weddings, events and luxurious stays.