Lower Loxley Hall

Description

Lucky Elizabeth Pargetter, living in a stately home... Just don't let her hear you say that, because she's far more concerned with keeping the 300-year-old pile tolerably vertical.

To fund the never-ending maintenance bills, she and Nigel try to wring every drop of income out of the place. The Hall hosts conferences and takes sightseers; Nigel runs falconry courses and displays with Jessica; the grounds boast rare breeds, cycle trails, an art gallery, a cruck barn and (not for the acrophobic) a tree top walk.

All this takes staff, of course. Ancient retainers Edgar and Eileen Titcombe have been joined over the years by numerous additional employees, including retail manager Kathy Perks and Hugh the Orangery Café's chef.

Hayley Tucker nannies for Jamie Perks and the Pargetter twins Lily and Freddie, and runs activity visits for local schoolchildren.