Dingley, Northamptonshire
Encyclopedia
Dingley is a village and civil parish
in Northamptonshire
, England, located along the A427
, about 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the nearest town, Market Harborough
. It is also close to the A6 and near the border with Leicestershire
. At the time of the 2001 census
, the parish's population was 209 people.
. The Hall fell into disrepair in the 1960s and was gutted in 1972. In 1978, it was bought by the architect Kit Martin
who converted the Hall into 10 separate residences.
A house has stood on this site from medieval times when it was a Preceptory for the Knights' Hospitallers. It is first recorded as Dinglei, meaning "the woodland clearing marked by valleys". At the dissolution of the monasteries it was sold to Edward Griffin.
During the late 1550s the house was extensively rebuilt leaving only the tower and porch. Further additions were made in the 1680s and the porch - which is dated 1558 - was re-sited during these alterations. In 1781-2 the west wing was demolished, but it remained a large rambling house.
The Hall continued as a family home until 1936. During World War II
it was used as a nursing home. Although the estate was sold in 1958, the house was left to deteriorate until it was rescued in 1976. It has now been divided into seven houses and three flats. Nothing is left of the original interiors.
Although Dingley Hall is a private property, it hosts musical events throughout the year called 'Music at Dingley' with concerts in the Norman church or in the Porch House.
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
, England, located along the A427
A427 road
The A427 road is a major road in the English Midlands. It connects the Leicestershire town of Market Harborough and the A6 with the Northamptonshire town of Oundle and the A605.-History:...
, about 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the nearest town, Market Harborough
Market Harborough
Market Harborough is a market town within the Harborough district of Leicestershire, England.It has a population of 20,785 and is the administrative headquarters of Harborough District Council. It sits on the Northamptonshire-Leicestershire border...
. It is also close to the A6 and near the border with Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
. At the time of the 2001 census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, the parish's population was 209 people.
Dingley Hall
The main feature of the village is Dingley Hall which has had many famous owners over the centuries such as the victorious First World War Admiral David BeattyDavid Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty
Admiral of the Fleet David Richard Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty, GCB, OM, GCVO, DSO was an admiral in the Royal Navy...
. The Hall fell into disrepair in the 1960s and was gutted in 1972. In 1978, it was bought by the architect Kit Martin
Kit Martin
Kit Martin is an English architect and country house property developer.-Career:Martin is the son of Sir Leslie Martin, Professor of Architecture at the University of Cambridge. Since the 1970s Martin has specialised in the saving and restoration of country houses, by dividing them into smaller...
who converted the Hall into 10 separate residences.
A house has stood on this site from medieval times when it was a Preceptory for the Knights' Hospitallers. It is first recorded as Dinglei, meaning "the woodland clearing marked by valleys". At the dissolution of the monasteries it was sold to Edward Griffin.
During the late 1550s the house was extensively rebuilt leaving only the tower and porch. Further additions were made in the 1680s and the porch - which is dated 1558 - was re-sited during these alterations. In 1781-2 the west wing was demolished, but it remained a large rambling house.
The Hall continued as a family home until 1936. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
it was used as a nursing home. Although the estate was sold in 1958, the house was left to deteriorate until it was rescued in 1976. It has now been divided into seven houses and three flats. Nothing is left of the original interiors.
Although Dingley Hall is a private property, it hosts musical events throughout the year called 'Music at Dingley' with concerts in the Norman church or in the Porch House.