Built / Designed For: Mrs. Rebecca Darby

House & Family History: The Tudor design of Adcote is generally believed to have been influenced by the Shropshire houses Benthall Hall (today owned by the National Trust) and Madeley Court, the former (leased) home of the Darby family, which is today a hotel. Adcote was built for Rebecca Darby, the widow of Alfred Darby I (1807–52), the famous Quaker industrialist whose family built the Iron Bridge in Shropshire, the world's first arch bridge to be made of cast iron. A frequent entertainer, Mrs. Darby regularly received Queen Mary at Adcote. After the death of Mrs. Darby's son, Alfred Darby II, in 1925 the House was sold to the Adcote School Trust, who opened it as Adcote School in 1927. It is generally believed that Shaw regarded Adcote as his best house.

Country Life: XXVI, 912 plan, 1909. CXLVIII, 1056 plan, 1970.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: Rebecca Darby, 1879-1909; Alfred Darby II, 1909-25.

Current Ownership Type: School

Primary Current Ownership Use: School

Ownership Details: Owned by Adcote School Educational Trust Limited and operated as the Adcote School for Girls

House Open to Public: No

Phone: 01939-260-202

Fax: 01939-261-300

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.adcoteschool.org.uk

Historic Houses Member: No