Hill Hall

Built / Designed For: Sir Thomas Smith

House & Family History: Hill Hall features some of the earliest external Renaissance architectural detail in the country, plus rare period wall paintings of mythical and biblical subjects. The Smith family owned the House until 1925. Edith Wharton briefly considered purchasing Hill Hall after the Smiths put the House on the market, but she ultimately decided against it. Hill Hall was converted to a women's prison in 1952; it was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1969. The remains of the House have been converted into private houses. The Estate is owned and managed by English Heritage.
Garden & Outbuildings: The Park was landscaped in the late 18th century, with late 19th century-early 20th century gardens installed beside the House.
Architect: Thomas Smith

Nationality: English
Notes: 16th century gentleman, who may have designed his own house, Hill Hall, Essex.

Date: 1569-75
Designed: House for himself
(Attribution of this work is uncertain)
View all houses

Architect: Richard Kirby

Date of Birth: ?
Date of Death: ?
Nationality: English
Notes: 16th century architect.

Date: 1569-75
Designed: May have assisted Sir Thomas Smith in design for House
(Attribution of this work is uncertain)
View all houses

Architect: Humphry Repton

Date of Birth: 1752
Date of Death: 1818
Nationality: British
Notes: Partner of John Nash. Repton thought of Sheringham Hall as his favorite work.

Date: 1790-1814
Designed: Altered gardens

View all houses

Architect: Reginald Theodore Blomfield

Date of Birth: Dec 20, 1856
Date of Death: Dec 27, 1942
Nationality: British
Notes: Blomfield was a prolific British architect, garden designer, and author of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Date: 1909-12
Designed: Altered House for tenant: Charles Hunter.

View all houses

Architect: Philip Tilden

Date of Birth: 1887
Date of Death: 1956
Nationality: British
Notes: Tilden made his reputation converting old, often impractical, country houses to modern standards for a small group of wealthy clients.

Date: 1927-28
Designed: Altered gardens for Sir Robert and Lady Hudson

View all houses
John 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: 2.S. Vol. I, 1824.

Country Life: XX, 18, 1906. XLI, 448, 472, 496 plan, 1917.
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
Publisher: London: Burke's Peerage
ISBN: 0850110351
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Grade II
Past Seat / Home of: Sir Thomas Smith (Smyth), 16th century; Sir William Smith (Smyth), 18th century; Smith family here until 1925. Charles Hunter (tenant of Smith family), early 20th century. Sir Robert and Lady Hudson, early 20th century.

Current Ownership Type: Flat Owners Company / Condo Association

Primary Current Ownership Use: Flats / Multi Family

Ownership Details: Hill Hall has been divided into private houses, but parts remain open to the public by prior arrangement. English Heritage maintains the Park.
House Open to Public: Limited Access
Phone: 01223-582-700

Historic Houses Member: No

House, Family & Collections History

Gardens, Outbuildings, Chapel & Church History

Architects

Historic Publications References

Bibliography / Reading List for this House

Listings for House & Park

Families Who’ve Lived Here / Current Ownership Type & Use

Access

VISIT AND HELP PRESERVE HISTORIC BRITISH HOUSES