The Manor
Hemingford Grey
Built in the 1130s The Manor is one of the oldest continuously inhabited houses in Britain and much of the original house remains virtually intact in spite of various changes over nine hundred years.
The upstairs hall is a room full of atmosphere and the echoes of nearly nine centuries of family conversations. It was used during World War II by Lucy Boston to give gramophone record recitals twice a week to the RAF. The 1929 EMG gramophone is still in use in this room.
The house was recreated and made famous as the house of Green Knowe by Lucy Boston in her series of children’s books, now regarded as classics. Her son Peter’s illustrations depict many of the things in the house and garden. The attic contains toys used by the fictional children of the past; thus visitors get the feeling of ‘walking into the books’.
She wrote about family belongings in the house and her son Peter Boston illustrated the books, drawing many of these as well as the house and garden.
In the winter, as well as writing, Lucy Boston made many exquisite patchworks, most of which are on display. Rarely can such an important collection be seen in the house in which the exhibits were made.
heThis moated house is surrounded by four acres of garden renowned for its collection of over 200 old roses and a collection of irises containing many famous Dykes medal winners, most of them dating from the 1950s. There are hidden corners in the garden so visitors find themselves coming to unexpected parts which are unanticipated from the first impression gained by looking down into it from the public footpath along the towpath beside the river Great Ouse. With its large herbaceous borders of mainly scented plants the garden gives the feeling of being a cottage garden full of favourite plants in a rather formal setting of lawns with topiary coronation shapes and chess pieces in their black and white planted squares.
THE GARDEN
The garden is open daily from 11am to 5pm (dusk in winter). No appointment is needed.
£2 adults, children free.
THE HOUSE
The House is open throughout the year but strictly by appointment.
(except throughout May when there are guided tours at 2pm.
Booking for these is still advisable as the size of the tours has to be limited.)
Contact Diana Boston.
Telephone 01480 463134
Fax 01480 465026
The Manor
Hemingford Grey
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE28 9BN
