Peace and quiet at Belgrave Hall and Gardens

Grab an opportunity to see Belgrave Hall & Gardens during the special events season. The property has changed hands many times but Edmund Cradock, a 'nouveau riche' hosiery merchant, built the Hall between 1709 and 1713 and died soon after its completion.

The Vann's who lived there from 1767 to 1844, ran a thriving hosiery business from the Hall, employing the local framework knitters as outworkers. They gave generously to many local charities, including Leicester's first free school.

If you've visited the Great Central Railway, you'll have heard of John Ellis - the wealthy businessman, responsible for bringing the railways to Leicester in 1833, who purchased Belgrave Hall in 1845.

Today, the Hall is in the midst of two acres of serene walled gardens that are open to the public during special events. The gardens were an important aspect of the Hall (a status symbol that showed the family's wealth).