History at Hatchlands Park

Hatchlands has been a family home since it was built by the Boscawens in 1756. In the years since it's filled many roles, but there's almost always been a family at the heart of the park. Learn more about the people who made this place their own and uncover a few of the fascinating stories from 250 years of history.

A letter from Fanny Boscawen to Hannah More — Fanny Boscawen, for whom Hatchlands Park was built, was a founding member of the Bluestocking Society and a prolific letter writer

The accomplished Mrs Boscawen

Back in 2018, a century on from the passing of the Representation of the People Act, the National Trust launched ‘Women and Power’, a year-long national programme celebrating that historic milestone.

At Hatchlands Park we celebrated the life and achievements of Frances Boscawen, the first ‘Lady of the House’ and a founding member of the Bluestocking Society. We hope that you continue to enjoy reading about Fanny, her legacy and her inspirational friends.

Famous names

Robert Adam

Celebrated architect Robert Adam designed the interiors at Hatchlands, in his earliest country house commission. Much of the work that he did here can still be seen throughout the house.

Humphry Repton

When George Holme Sumner bought Hatchlands and decided the parkland needed a new lease of life, he turned to one of the day's foremost landscape designers.

Family history

The Boscawens

Edward and Frances Boscawen fell in love with Hatchlands Park, built the house you see today and made it a family home. They were instrumental in creating the family home and safe haven from urban life that you can see here today.

The Sumner family outside Hatchlands Park

The Sumners

The Sumner family lived at Hatchlands Park for over a century from 1770. They made many changes to the house and parkland before selling the estate to the Rendel family in 1888.

The Rendel family outside Hatchlands Park

The Rendels

The Rendel family bought Hatchlands Park from the Sumner family in 1888. Lord Rendel left the Hatchlands estate to his grandson, Hal, the last private owner who then gave it to us in 1945.

War stories

A stained glass window in the village church

The First World War

The First World War had an impact across the country, at every level of society. Hatchlands, like many grand houses and estates, was not immune to the trauma and tragedy of war.

School pupils at Hatchlands Park during the Second World War

The Second World War School

During the Second World War Hatchlands sheltered a group of young women escaping from the dangers of city life in wartime. Between 1939 and 1945 the house became a home to the girls of St Anne’s Convent School.