Local History

Sandon Hall in Staffordshire stands at the end of a mile long driveway, in hundreds of acres of gardens and rolling parkland. 

The stately home was rebuilt between 1850-1854 after fire devastated the outside of the building.  The mansion has been home to the Harrowby family since then, and has been visited by some of the most infamous characters in British history.

The 2nd Earl of Sandon was Lord Privy Seal and was made a Knight of the Garter by Queen Victoria for his service. The Garter banner and sword hang proudly above the impressive wooden staircase, the perfect place from where to view the main entrance hall in all its splendour.

Letter from Lord Nelson

Upstairs, an area of the house has been converted into a family museum. The corridor walls are covered in photographs of royal visits, letters from the likes of Lord Nelson and Charles Dickins, and several portraits of Napoleon Bonaparte, whose niece married a cousin of the Harrowby family.

Letter from Lord Nelson at Sandon Hall

There are also a pair of duelling pistols used by former Prime Minister William Pitt, a good friend of the First Earl of Sandon.  Pitt chose Lord Harrowby to be his second in a duel where both Pitt and his opponent fired, missed, and having agreed that honour was settled, they shared a coach back to London together.

Along the hallway is a small room filled will antique toys and christening gowns worn by the Harrowby children over the centuries.

Chinese Handpainted Wallpaper

The drawing room is decorated with handpainted wallpaper depicting exotic birds and insects in amongst bamboo and tropical flowers.

Handpainted wallpaper in Sandon's drawing room

The room is kept in darkness to protect the already tarnished paper from light damage and it's believed that the pattern is not repeated at any point throughout the room.

BBC Radio Stoke's Local History Correspondent Katie Martin was given a guided tour by General Manager John Guard. Click on the link below to hear the stories behind Sandon Hall's many intriguing artifacts...