The house is constructed in '2½ storeys'[1][2] of ashlar and dressed limestone rubble with ashlar dressings and a slate hipped roof with a 7 bay frontage to the west.[3] North and South faces, of 4 bays, are identical.[1]
The Gate
The House stands in parkland surrounded by 3,000 acres of farmland. The gateway of similar Ashlar construction is also a listed building.[4]
History
The hall was built for William Reeve between 1790 and 1796 by Christopher Staveley of Melton Mowbray. It was extended by architect Lewis Vulliamy in 1826–29 and altered by architect Detmar Blow in 1903. Blow also hung two of the reception rooms with hand-painted oriental wallpapers.[1][5]
It descended in the Reeve family to Lt-Col William Reeve (1906–1993) who was High Sheriff of Lincolnshire for 1957. Following the 2013 divorce of Peter Richard Reeve (1947-2024) and his former wife Henrietta, the estate's value was divided between the ex-spouses. This was disputed unsuccessfully by their elder son William who wished to keep the estate intact. [6]
^The description '2½ storey' is taken from the listing, and in turn from the article in Country Life. As can be seen in the photograph the 3rd floor does not have large windows or grand high ceilings, and is intended for service staff and storage. This is sometimes called '2½ storey'.
