Foremarke Hall - History

History

Foremarke Hall was commissioned to be built; as a Stately home; by Sir Robert Burdett for his son Francis Burdett(not to be confused with his son Sir Francis Burdett); who did not inherit the Baronetcy as he died before his father Sir Robert did, in 1794. in 1760 by David Hiorns - a famous architect then whose architectural firm in London still thrives today.

According to a directory published in 1846, the hall was "erected about the year 1762" by Sir Robert Burdett(4th Bart. of Foremark), replacing an earlier house on the site, and making it one of the oldest local buildings. However, the nearby Parish church- Saint Saviour's Church was erected and consecrated in 1662 by Sir Francis Burdett 2nd Bart. of Foremark

The hamlets of Ingleby and Foremarke (sometimes referred to as a manor) were under the Lordship of and owned by the Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Baronet in 1829. The Baronetage of his family line began with Sir Thomas Burdett on 25 February 1619, who was registered on the Baronetage census as "Burdett of Bramcote, Warwicks (Shorthand of Warwickshire). Francis married Sophia Coutts, daughter of the wealthy banker Thomas Coutts in 1793 which brought him a fortune.

In 1835, the hall was described as:

"Foremark, three miles (5 km) west from Melbourn, is distinguished as having within its precincts the beautiful seat of Sir Francis Burdett, most judiciously and romantically placed, amidst scenery of a rich, bold and varied character, upon the southern banks of the Trent – the hanging hills being crowned by thriving plantations. The house is spacious, and its appearance imposing to a considerable degree ; the pleasure-grounds are very tasteful, and lead down a valley, through finely wooded avenues to the banks of the river. The church, here, which is dedicated to our Saviour, is a small, plain edifice: the living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Sir Francis Burdett. The parish of Foremark (including Ingleby township, 163) contained, in 1831, 221 inhabitants."

The Burdett family owned the hall until 1850 when Henry Allsop esquire resided there. It could be that Henry Allsop was not the owner as the Burdett family were still reported as the owners in 1881.

In 1932, Kelly's directory reported:

Major Sir Francis Burdett bart. D.L., J.P. lord of the manor and sole landowner, a fine stone mansion, surrounded by beautiful trees and shrubs ; in the grounds is a lake of considerable dimensions.

During the course of World War I the hall was taken over by the British army as a military hospital. During World War II it was used as an Officer Cadet Training Unit, today, the military identification plate nailed to one of the pillars of the front entrance is still present.

Note the interesting fact that, when speaking in terms of the Manor of Foremark(e), it may be spelled 'Foremark' or 'Foremarke' (though usually Foremark), but when inferring the Stately home- i.e. Foremarke Hall, it is always spelled 'Foremarke'.