House & Family History: Yaxley was reduced to two-thirds of its original size when an early 1920s fire (started by a butler hoping to acquire the insurance money) destroyed much of the House. Until the 18th century Yaxley Hall was the home of the Yaxleys, a Catholic family aligned with the Norfolk Catholic families of the Howards and Bedingfields. During this time Yaxley Hall became the home of the mistress of the 4th Earl of Scarsdale and their children, who remained here until the early 20th century, when Lord Henniker added the property to his large estate. In the 20th century, Blanche Broadwood, of the piano family, lived at Yaxley for 40 years; in the 1970s the modernist British architect Sir Basil Spence lived at Yaxley. Dominic Richards, who purchased the House in 2002, plans to rebuild the lost wings. (We are grateful to Dominic Richards for this history of Yaxley Hall.)

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Not Listed

Current Seat / Home of: Dominic Richards

Past Seat / Home of: Yaxley family, until the 18th century. Charles Henry Chandos Henniker-Major, 6th Baron Henniker and 3rd Baron Hartismere, early 20th century. Blanche Broadwood, early 20th century. Sir Basil Spence, 1970s. R. Hopwell Smith, 20th century.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

Ownership Details: Available for weddings and corporate retreats.

House Open to Public: By Appointment

Phone: 01379-788-869

Fax: 01379-788-868

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.yaxleyhall.com

Historic Houses Member: No