Kelham Hall was originally the home of the Manners-Sutton family (a family connected to the Dukes of Rutland and Belvoir Castle) of Averham. The hall has been destroyed by fire and rebuilt several times over the past hundreds of years.

The present hall was designed and rebuilt by the architect Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878, pictured), famous for the Albert Memorial and the Grand Midland Hotel in London, which now provides the frontage for St Pancras International Station and which bears a striking resemblance in design to Kelham Hall.

Sir George was the most prolific architect of his age, and possibly of all time, and also the most unsung. His works spanned the empire, from New Zealand to Newfoundland. In England alone, he designed 800 buildings and oversaw hundreds more restorations.

He produced churches, schools, hospitals, workhouses, asylums and vicarages galore. He has 607 structures listed as historic (including Kelham Hall which is Grade Two listed by English Heritage) more than any other architect (next is Lutyens, with 402). Scott restored 18 of the 26 English medieval cathedrals. From his office his grandson, Giles, designed Liverpool Cathedral, Battersea power station, red phone boxes and what is now Tate Modern.

Sir George Gilbert Scott

The hall was sold to the Society of the Sacred Mission in 1902 and housed the Monastic Order for the next 70 years and was run as a theological college. During the 1920’s the Great Chapel was constructed (now known as the Dome) and is almost square with a great central dome (62 feet across and 68 feet high).

The main accommodation building at the front of the hall was completed in 1939 to house the monks and the theological students. The college closed in 1972 due to declining numbers of enrolments.

Since 1974 the hall has been the headquarters of Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Public tours of Kelham Hall

Public tours of Kelham Hall are available from Monday to Friday. There are no tours on Saturdays, Sundays, bank holidays or public holidays.

Led by an experienced guide, tours last from one to two hours and uncover the history of Kelham Hall while exploring the main function rooms and historical aspects of the building.

Please note we can only offer tours to groups of not less than 12 and not more than 30 people.

Times

Private group tours must be booked in advance and are available between the following times:

• 6pm - 8pm (Kelham Hall & refreshments)
• 6pm - 8pm (Kelham Hall - no refreshments)
• 6pm - 7pm (Kelham Hall only)

Dates are subject to the availability of function rooms, due to meetings and commercial bookings.

Charges

£2.50 per person.

A 25% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking, the balance to be paid at least 7 calendar days prior to the visit, with confirmation of numbers of people attending.

To book a private group tour please complete our booking enquiry form.

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