Our History

Elsham Hall dates back to the 1760’s and has travelled through history being acquired for a variety of services from a family home to an Anti-Aircraft HQ, to an esteemed part of Kings College Cambridge and even a girl’s boarding school. Most recently the house was sold to the Elwes Family in 1931, but soon after, in 1939, was requisitioned by the RAF as an Anti-Aircraft H.Q. during the Second World War. Once the war was over, the Hall was handed back to the Elwes family, having amassed unresolvable damage, necessitating the demolition of 2/3 of the property, refurbishing, and preserving the remaining section which is what you can see today. The present house along with an 18th Century Orangery are Grade II* listed and stand proud as a private family home,.

But the Hall isn’t the only part of the estate which is packed full of history. The surrounding grounds hold an abundance of inspiring history in the heart of the North Lincolnshire countryside. There are Medieval carp lakes, a Nuns walk, a Georgian Courtyard designed by the renowned John Carr of York and one of the largest walled gardens in the North of England.

Captain Jeremy Elwes and his wife Clare saw the beauty and opportunity they had on their doorstep. In 1970 they opened the grounds to the public as a Country Park and Gardens with the vision of promoting and encouraging a wider understanding of natural history, the arts and rural crafts.  At its heart, the Park offers visitors an enjoyable place to relax and experience nature and the countryside.

The present custodians Gervase and Clare Elwes realise how fortunate they are to live in such wonderful surroundings. After recently celebrating the Parks 50th anniversary, they are more determined than ever to continue improving and sharing all that Elsham has to offer.