The house from a circa 1910 postcard
Earlier Houses: There was at least one earlier house on the site of the current house.
Built / Designed For: Sir Jacob Astley, 1st Bt.
House & Family History: The Red Drawing Room ceiling contains its original 1687 decoration that features fruit, flowers, and game birds.
Comments: Melton Constable Hall is considered an important example of the classical Restoration country house in the style of Sir Roger Pratt, Hugh May, and Christopher Wren.
Garden & Outbuildings: Capability Brown landscaped the grounds between 1764 and 1769. The lookout tower dates from the late 16th century.
Architect: Unknown (designed by an unknown architect)
Date: 1810John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. II, p. 93, 1855.
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: Vol. III, 1820.
Country Life: XVIII, 378, 1905. LXIV, 364, 402, 478 [needlework & furniture], 1928. LXXX, 266, 1936.
Title: Country Life: 100 Favourite Houses
Author: Green, Candida Lycett
Year Published: 1999
Publisher: London: Boxtree
ISBN: 0752213334
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: pgs. 157-158
Publisher: London: Burke's Peerage
ISBN: 0850110351
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Grade II*
Current Seat / Home of: Roger Gawn; here since 1986.
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Sir Jacob Astley, 1st Bt., 1667-1729; Sir Philip Astley, 2nd Bt., 1729-39; Sir Jacob Astley, 3rd Bt., 1739-60; Sir Edward Astley, 4th Bt., 1760-1802; Lieutenant Colonel Sir Jacob Henry Astley, 5th Bt., 1802-17; Sir Jacob Astley, 6th Baronet and 16th Baron Hastings, 1817-59; Jacob Henry Delaval Astley, 17th Baron Hastings and 7th Baronet Astley, 1859-71; Delaval Loftus Astley, 18th Baron Hastings and 8th Baronet, 1871-72; Bernard Edward Delaval Astley, 19th Baron Hastings and 9th Baronet Astley, 1872-75; George Manners Astley, 20th Baron Hastings and 10th Baronet Astley, 1875-1904; Albert Edward Delaval Astley, 21st Baron Hastings and 11th Baronet Astley, 1904-48; Astley family here from 1236 until 1948. Gerald Hugh Grosvenor, 4th Duke of Westminster, 1948-circa 1955. G.W. Harrold, mid-20th century.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
House Open to Public: No
Historic Houses Member: No