History of Wolvey Hall

The history of Wolvey Hall dates to 1250 when it was owned by Sir Thomas De Wolvey and it has been passed down through twenty three generations to its current occupants, the Freeman family, who reside in The Chapel at the rear of the property. 

Wolvey Hall is a Grade II listed building which has had two transformations during its history. The first being in 1677 by the Astley family and the second when it was radically remodelled by the Coape-Arnold family in 1889. It was at this point that Henry Fraser James Coape-Arnold, a catholic convert, built the Chapel at the Hall which was utilised by the Catholic residents of the area until the early 1920’s.  Now converted to a stunning three-bedroom home by Oliver Freeman, who has sensitively worked with the original structure, showcasing the original trusses, beams and stained-glass windows. 

The main house underwent major renovations in 2016 to convert the thirty-room house into seven apartments and The Coach House into a stand-alone three-bedroom dwelling.

Everywhere you look, original features can be seen such as the oak staircase that dates to 1677 and consists of three flights separated by landings and has openwork balustrade with foliage and is flanked by ancestral portraits. Oak panelling can also be seen in several apartments alongside original fireplaces and more beautiful stained-glass windows, the first floor featuring a stunning oriel window and yet the apartments have been stylishly created with a light, modern feel throughout. 

The exterior of the Hall displays family heraldry, coat of arms and historical stonework within an elegant Lychgate porch at the front of the house and a slate sundial sits high on the right of the façade.

The Hall sits in 11 acres of grounds comprising of communal gardens, woodland area and paddocks. Here you will find arched gateways with more family heraldry set into the stonework and at the rear of the property stands a stone cross fashioned from the original stonework. A set of stone steps believed to date back to the original Hall in the thirteenth century are nestled away in the spinney and closer to the entrance of the main driveway you’ll find Jacobs Well: 

“Jacob’s Well, which is very ancient, on the top of which is a stone figure representing Jacob; the water is said to be good for rheumatism.” Francis White Francis 1850

Still visible on the well is a carved stone nymph or mermaid, who holds a pitcher which is said to be from where the water flowed and is dated 1707. 

Wolvey Hall, lovingly preserved, restored and maintained for generations to come.