DiCamillo Companion
England

Weston Hall

Weston and Weedon, near Towcester

Northamptonshire

England

Circa Date: 1680-90 w/18th & 19th century alterations and additions

Status: Fully Extant

House Open to Public: No

Country House: Yes

  • Built / Designed For: William Hiccocke

    House & Family History: Weston Hall is most noted today as the home of Sacheverell Sitwell (Sir Sacheverell Sitwell, 6th Bt. (1897–1988), who lived here from 1927 until his death in 1988. Sir Sacheverell was the younger brother of Dame Edith Sitwell and Sir Osbert Sitwell and was a noted art critic and writer on architecture, particularly that of the Baroque period. Together with his brother, he sponsored the controversial and groundbreaking 1919 exhibition of modern French art at London’s Mansard Gallery, which included works by Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani, Utrillo, and Derain. It was at Weston that Sacheverell wrote many of his 130 books on art, travel, poetry, and music. One of his more intriguing books was 1940's "Poltergeists," in which Sacheverell concluded that most cases of ghost experiences could be explained by human trickery or hysteria. In the 1920s and 30s Weston was at its influential peak; it was during this time period that Cecil Beaton, Evelyn Waugh, Noel Coward, and other members of the artistic and literary elite came to Weston for long weekends. The estate was a Valentine's Day gift (in 1714) to Sitwell's ancestor, Susanna Jennens, from her uncle, Sir John Blencowe. Weston was inherited down through the female line until Sacheverell's father, Sir George Sitwell, 4th Bt., took a lease on the house from an aunt. The fireplaces and doorcases in the drawing room came from Greatworth Manor. Weston Hall, together with 49 acres, was listed for sale for £3.25 million in August of 2020.

  • Country Life: CL, 1072 [Lacquer Furniture], 1971. CLIX, 174, 234, 1976.

  • House Listed: Grade II*

    Park Listed: Not Listed

  • Past Seat / Home of: William Hiccocke, 17th century. Sir John Blencowe, early 18th century. Susanna Jennens, early 18th century. Sir George Reresby Sitwell, 4th Bt., until 1927; Sir Sacheverell Reresby Sitwell, 6th Bt., 1927-88; Sir George Reresby Sacheverell Sitwell, 8th Bt., 2007-12; William Sitwell, 2017-20.

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

  • House Open to Public: No

    Historic Houses Member: No

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