Seaton Delaval Hall

The Delavals arrived with William, Duke of Normandy, as part of his invading army in 1066 and lived at Seaton for the next 700 years. In 1718, Admiral George Delaval called upon Sir John Vanbrugh to expand upon the existing house. Vanbrugh, who felt the old building was beyond repair, suggested that the site be cleared for the construction of a splendid new mansion. Delaval took Vanbrugh’s advice but died two years before the Hall was completed in 1728. Seaton Delaval Hall was the last country house Vanbrugh designed, and it is regarded as his finest work. In 1822, the central block was severely damaged by fire. It was re-roofed during John Dobson’s partial restoration in 1862-3, the central block remaining a shell with the effects of fire clearly visible in the great hall. Further restoration was completed in 1959 and the early 1960s, with recent conservation by the National Trust following acquisition in 2009.

Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland

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Seaton Delaval Hall is not only one of the finest houses in the North East, it is also one of the finest works of its architect, Sir John Vanbrugh. It was built to have a dramatic impact, which it certainly does. The collection is fabulous yet diverse, ranging from the damaged statues in the Central Hall, engulfed by flames in the fire of 1822, to the furnished West Wing filled with 18th and 19th century furniture and ceramics; more unusually two 16th century German suits of armour which stand guard in the Old Kitchen. During the purchase of the estate, the grandest and simplest of these were bought to capture the story of Seaton Delaval Hall . The portraits lining the Long Gallery introduce you to the colourful characters from the two families who have occupied the Hall for over 300 years. There are many interesting stories to be told of these fun-loving and, at times, hard-working Delaval and Astley families.

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