Belgrave Hall

Belgrave Hall was built as a substantial family home between 1709 and 1713 by Edmund Cradock, a Leicester hosiery merchant on a site adjacent to St Peter’s Church. It was built in the midst of 2 acre of walled gardens in Belgrave. Within two years of its completion both Edmund and his wife Anne died and the property underwent numerous changes in ownership. It was owned by the Simons family for 45 years, the Vann family for 78 years (during which time they also built the nearby Belgrave House), the Ellis family for 76 years and Thomas Morley for thirteen years. In 1936 it was bought by Leicester City Council, at which point it became a museum. The council has since decided to use the house…

At the time of construction, Belgrave was a small village three miles from Leicester, between the roads to Loughborough and Lincoln. Belgrave Hall set a trend for wealthy businessmen to build themselves out-of-town houses in the area. There are lead rainwater heads with the Cradock family crest, some of which have a 1709 date and others with 1713. This unusually long construction period, along with brickwork and ground-plan irregularities on the south side, may imply a re-design or halt to construction while building was underway. The road frontage has imposing wrought iron gates which incorporate an 'EC' monogram leading to a recessed doorway, and a brick parapet which hides the three…