The Blacketts and the history of Wallington

An excess of good cheer

Although the Blacketts knocked down old Fenwick tower, they continued the Fenwick tradition of hospitality towards their visitors. Sir William's son, also named Sir William Blackett (1690–1728) took this tradition to excess and allegedly employed six men simply to carry him and his drunken guests to bed after their grand parties.

Upon his death Sir William (the younger) left debts of £105,000 and an illegitimate daughter, Elizabeth Ord.

Wallington would then pass to Sir William’s nephew Walter Calverley (1707–77) on the condition that Walter married his cousin Elizabeth and adopted the family name of Blackett. Walter agreed and in 1728 Wallington was passed to the 21-year-old.

Redesigning Wallington House

Much of Wallington as we know it today is down to the vision of Sir Walter Calverley Blackett and –almost certainly – his educated and discerning wife Elizabeth. They had the interior of the house completely remodelled, commissioning some of the greatest artisans to transform Wallington into their principal home.

New additions

They invited the Swiss-Italian stuccodore, Pietro Lafranchini, to create the stunning Rococo plasterwork in the south wing.

Corridors were added and a new impressive staircase was created. Sir Walter Calverley and Lady Blackett were also responsible for the Clock Tower, which dominates Wallington's courtyard.

Re-designing the estate

He also had the gardens and estate extensively redesigned with pleasure grounds and more trees and he installed many of the water courses and ponds. Much of this work is still visible in the East and West Woods.

Among the many figures involved in the redesign of Wallington was Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, who grew up in the local area and attended school in Cambo. He was responsible for designing the pleasure grounds at Rothley Lake and may also have contributed to the work in the East and West Woods.

The Trevelyans at Wallington

Sir Walter’s children died before him, so Wallington passed to his sister’s son: Sir John Trevelyan.

The estate stayed in the family until it was eventually gifted to the National Trust by Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan, a Socialist MP and ‘illogical Englishman’, in 1942.