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| First mentioned in the Domesday Book, Lutwyche Hall is thought to be one of Shropshires finest country residences. It was recently put up for sale at a price in excess of �1 million. Once the home of the, then eminent Lutwyche family, before passing into the hands of a series of private owners. Situated on the B**** Much Wenlock to Church Stretton road, the Hall is situated in beautiful countryside, sitting directly opposite Wenlock Edge, a huge limestone cliff. Lutwyche Hall is hidden from prying eyes from the road by dense woodland, however on the other side it surveys all before it, with views of Hope Forest and an old Celtic hillfort which is thought to date back to 500 BC. In the grounds of the hall itself is part of the ancient Mogg Wood. Parts of the Hall can in fact be dated back to the 15th century, when Edward Lutwyche undertook large renovations to the building. This brickwork is among the oldest surviving in Shropshire. This is the same Edward Lutwyche who was also responsible for building Wilderhope Manor and Shipton Hall, which are both a matter of a few miles from the Hall. There is a plaque dedicated to Edward Lutwyche in the small chapel at Easthope. The family held the estate for some 700 years, and the earliest mention of the Hall comes in the Domesday Book of 1086. This entry states that the last Saxon to hold the building was a man named Godwin. After the Norman invasion it passed into the hands of a Norman called Ricard, who held it for his overlord Rainald. During the 18th century, William Lutwyche, who happened to be High Sherrif of Shropshire carried out modernisation and extension works to the building. He closed the courtyard and made the space into a dining room and installed a huge decorative staircase to the building. In 1785, there was a dispute over the inheritance and Lutwyche Hall was sold to a Mr Moses Benson who was the Governor of Bermuda. After this period of ownership, the Hall became a grammar school, before falling into disrepair and suffering a fire. It was then renovated to its present state. The entrance hall is very grand with ornate plasterwork and the Lutwyche coat of arms in a stained glass window above the door. A portrait of Edward Lutwyche stands above the fireplace in the drawing room., and the grounds themself stretch for 60 acres. |
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