According to the late Mr. A.J.Seabrook, 'Gumley Hall used to stand in front of extensive and beautiful gardens which stretched down the steep slopes to the lake at the bottom. On the lake there were boats and a small jetty on one side'. There was also a natural chalybeate spring which trickled into a pool from the rocks of a small cavern, which at one time was said to have curative properties.

Picture above shows Gumley Hall around 1960, shortly before demolition.

Built in 1764 by Joseph Craddock, and once visited by Queen Victoria, it was to last for 200 years. Since the 1920's, the grounds were used traditionally by the Fernie Hunt for the Opening Meet at Gumley. During the middle of this century, the hall and gardens fell into sharp decline. The gardens are now overgrown with trees and scrub, the only reminder being occasional parts of pathways and steps on the steeper slopes. A few other survivors of this bygone age are the spring bulbs which have still managed to flourish, along with the rhododendrons on the far shore of the lake.

The hall itself, which was being used as flats in the 1950's was fast deteriorating, with extensive dry rot on the top floors.
The Murray-Smith family who owned the hall for almost the last 70 years of it's history had the building demolished in 1962, but not before holding one final grand ball, which was open to the residents of the village, and ended in a firework finale.

Above Left: Demolition of the West Wing in progress.

Above Right: Marble clad pillars which adorned the Ballroom during demolition.

The plan above (not to scale) shows Gumley Hall as I remember it.
The grey areas are sections which have been demolished leaving only the Stable yard, clock tower and Coach House, which looks across a small paddock where the Hall once stood, to the Church of St. Helens. The Coach House, which was originally stables with a Stable flat above, has been the subject of recent renovation.

The picture above was taken about 1961, and shows the Hall, Laundry, Tower and stables from the old kitchen gardens. The Tower and stables were added around 1870 by the then owner, Captain Whitmore. He also installed machinery to supply the Hall with gas, and later electricity in an Engine House lower down in the village. The statue shown right, was one of four (just visible on the main picture of the hall) which stood in curved red brick alcoves in the quadrant walls either side of the hall.

Gumley Hall - A Personal Memory - read my blog here: A Puzzle Solved - 60 Years Later!