Aveley, near London
Thurrock
England
Historic County: EssexCirca Date: 1510s-20s w/18th century alterations and additions
Status: Destroyed
Demolished 1956-57
House Open to Public: Grounds Only
Country House: Yes
An 1819 hand-colored engraving of the house from "Excursions in Essex"
Earlier Houses: There was at least one earlier house on, or near, the site of the 16th century house.
House & Family History: Belhus was visited by Elizabeth I in 1578; the queen may also have stayed at the house in 1588 on her way to Tilbury to visit her troops before they went off to fight the Spanish Armada. During World War II Belhus suffered bomb damage when it was occupied by the military, who left the house in such bad shape that it was ultimately demolished in the 1950s. Elements of the house's interiors are today in the collection of the Thurrock Museum; 17th century paneling from Belhus has been reinstalled in Valence House, London.
Collections: The contents of the house were auctioned in 1923 at the order of Sir Thomas Barrett-Lennard, 3rd Bt. A 17th century curtain that once hung in Belhus is today in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Garden & Outbuildings: In the 1950s the park was purchased by Essex County Council, who developed it as a public recreation center.
Architect: Sanderson Miller
Date: 1745-47 & 1752-57John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. I, 1818.
Country Life: XLVII, 656, 690, 1921. LIII, 600 [Heraldic Glass], 1923.
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 2008
Reference: pg. 694
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300125085
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Burke's & Savills Guide to Country Houses, Volume III: East Anglia
Author: Kenworthy-Browne, John; Reid, Peter; Sayer, Michael; Watkin, David
Year Published: 1981
Reference: pg. 39
Publisher: London: Burke's Peerage
ISBN: 0850110351
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Demolished
Park Listed: Grade II
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSES: Nicholas de Belhus, 14th century. SEATED AT 16TH CENTURY HOUSE: John Barrett, until 1526. Thomas Fiennes, 9th Baron Dacre, until 1541; Mary Fiennes, Baroness Dacre, 1541-78; Gregory Fiennes, 10th Baron Dacre, 1578-94; Margaret Fiennes, 11th Baroness Dacre, until 1612; Henry Lennard, 12th Baron Dacre, 1612-16; Richard Lennard, 13th Baron Dacre, 1616-30; Francis Lennard, 14th Baron Dacre, 1630-62; Thomas Lennard, 15th Baron Dacre and 1st Earl of Sussex, 1662-1715; Anne Barrett-Lennard, 16th Baroness Dacre, 1715-55; Thomas Barrett-Lennard, 17th Baron Dacre, 1755-86; Sir Thomas Barrett-Lennard, 1st Bt., until 1857; Sir Thomas Barrett-Lennard, 2nd Bt., 1857-1919; Sir Thomas Barrett-Lennard, 3rd Bt., 1919-23.
Current Ownership Type: Demolished
Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished
Ownership Details: The former park is today a public recreation center owned by the local authority.
House Open to Public: Grounds Only
Historic Houses Member: No