DiCamillo Companion
England

Wall Hall (Aldenham Wall Hall) (Aldenham Abbey) (The Mansion)

Aldenham, Hertsmere

Hertfordshire

England

Circa Date: 18th century w/1802, circa 1830 & 20th century alterations and additions

Status: Fully Extant

House Open to Public: No

Country House: Yes

crown This house has been used for TV and Film

  • Built / Designed For: George Woodford Thelluson

    House & Family History: Wall Hall is a turreted and castellated house covered in cement that was built in 1802 for George Woodford Thelluson and originally called Aldenham Abbey. Thelluson was a successful city banker who is mentioned in Charles Dickens's "A Tale of Two Cities." Circa 1830 alterations and additions were made to the House. In 1901 the famous American banker J.P. Morgan, Jr., rented the 300-acre Estate (he purchased it in 1910 and changed the Estate's name to Wall Hall). Morgan entertained the cream of society and the royal family, including the young Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. During the Second World War the House served as the residence of the U.S. ambassador, Joseph Kennedy. In 1945 Wall Hall was converted to serve as a teacher training college, later becoming the University of Hertfordshire. In 2003 the university vacated, and, in 2007, the House and other listed buildings on the 56-acre site were converted by Octagon Development into 25 homes, with a further 76 houses and apartments being built, along with a two-story office block, sports pavilion, and parking lot. The Greenhouse and 1960s-style university buildings were demolished.

  • Garden & Outbuildings: The grounds contain the Stableblock, an Ionic covered garden seat, artificial ruins, the Ice House, and a Gothick style Conservatory. During the Great War J.P. Morgan, Jr. had the parkland ploughed up and wheat planted for the war effort.

  • Architect: Humphry Repton

    Designed: Landscaping

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  • John 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: Vol. I, p. 264, 1852.

    Country Life: LV, 282, 1924.

  • Title: Buildings of England: Hertfordshire, The
    Author: Pevsner, Nikolaus; Cherry, Bridget
    Year Published: 2000
    Reference: pg. 67
    Publisher: London: Penguin Books
    ISBN: 0140710078
    Book Type: Hardback

    Title: House of Morgan: An American Banking Dynasty and the Rise of Modern Finance, The
    Author: Chernow, Ron
    Year Published: 2001
    Reference: pgs. 95, 97, 191, 264
    Publisher: New York: Grove Press
    ISBN: 0802138292
    Book Type: Softback

  • House Listed: Grade II

    Park Listed: Grade II

  • "No Time For Tears" (1957 - as the children's hospital). "H.G. Wells' Invisible Man" (1959 - TV series, episode 1.3, "Behind the Mask," as Raphael Constantine's home). "The Nanny" (1965 - as the psychiatric hospital). "The Saint" (1967 - TV series, episode 5.20, "The Counterfeit Countess," aka "The Counterfeit Contessa," as the Contessa's villa). "The Vampire Lovers" (1970 - as Roger Morton's mansion). "The Adventurer" (1972 - TV series, episode 1.13, "Action!", as General McCreedy's house). "Foyle's War" (2004 - TV series, episode 3.2, "Enemy Fire," as Digby Manor interiors).

  • Past Seat / Home of: George Woodford Thelluson, early 19th century. W. Stuart, 19th century. John Pierpont Morgan, Jr., early 20th century. Joseph Kennedy (as U.S. Ambassador to Britain), during World War II.

    Current Ownership Type: Corporation

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Flats / Multi Family

  • House Open to Public: No

    Historic Houses Member: No

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