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THE HOUSE

In 1786 Bartholomew Rudd of Guisborough and Marske purchased the Marton Estate. Rudd was a gentleman farmer and built Marton Lodge. In 1808 the estate passed to his eldest son who improved the property and in 1829 the estate passed to his son George Rudd who was the owner when the house burnt down in 1832. The estate remained in the ownership of the Rudd family, although the house was never rebuilt, finally passing into the possession of the Rev James Park who sold the estate to Henry Bolckow.

 

Marton Hall was probably built between 1854 and 1856 and was dramatically improved in 1867 in preparation for Prince Arthur's visit when he stayed at the Hall before he opened Albert Park. The lake was excavated and an ornamental boat house added and in 1858 the Granite Vase was installed. The grounds were designed as sweeping parklands planted with shrubs and trees, with flower beds kept to a minimum, with a small conservatory being attached to the house. Well stocked forcing houses and orchard houses were erected, along with lean to glasshouses sheltering a kitchen garden, used to supply year round crops of fruit, vegetables and plants for the house.

martonhall3.jpg
marton-hall.jpg

On Bolckows death the estate passed to Carl Bolckow, Henry's nephew and over the years, due to business and financial difficulties, it ceased to function as either a home or estate. From 1915 the house and grounds were used by the 12th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, presumably having been requisitioned. At the end of the war Carl's son, who had inherited the estate, needed to raise money and began negotiations with the council until T Dormand Stewart made his offer. The official opening was in 1928, also the bicentennial of Captain Cooks birth, when celebrations were held in the Park and pictures at the time show the sad state of the Hall.

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