The culmination of almost two years work by a team of skilled craftsmen, Spains Hall is now looking better than ever and forms part of a thriving Weddings and Hospitality business as well as being a wonderful family home. Today Spains Hall stands proudly in its stunning rural Essex surroundings offering an unrivalled experience to all those who celebrate there, thanks in no small part to the quality and attention to detail of the renovation team, headed by Kay Pilsbury Architects.

“Stripping the house back down to its bones gave us the opportunity to learn a great deal about how it has evolved since the early 15th Century.” said Sir Timothy Ruggles-Brise, Spains Hall’s current owner.

“For instance we now know that the original structure, dating from 1410, was a medieval moated farmhouse with a separate kitchen building. This came to light as we were digging trenches for a new set of toilets in the public rooms. The builders uncovered an arched brick cap which turned out to be sealing the top of a live well – in what is now the middle of the house! It was too interesting a feature to cover over again so now the gentlemen at a function in Spains Hall have an interesting view through the floor!”

Other unusual things that came to light as the works progressed included a massive oak beam that had been heavily charred by fire. Sir Timothy takes up the tale,

“We always believed the house had suffered from a fire in the 18th Century but had never been able to find out exactly where the fire occurred or how much damage it might have caused, not least as the house has always remained standing. We uncovered a huge oak beam that had obviously borne the bruntof a serious fire above one of the first floor doorways. Whilst it was almost half burnt through the engineers confirmed that it had plenty of strength left to hold up a whole floor - something to say for good old English oak!”

Spains Hall has gathered a reputation for resilience following the discovery of a notebook giving an account of that the Great English Earthquake of 1884that was felt at Spains Hall. The earthquake, magnitude 4.6 according to records from the British Geological Survey, was the most destructive in 400 years. Damage to Spains Hall however was limited to a few broken windows and the odd crack!

Spains Hall continues to generate history as the Ruggles-Brise family celebrated 250 years in occupation in 2010 and each year numerous couples are married in its historic surroundings.

About spainshall:

Spains Hall - Essex Wedding and Events Venue is a stunning setting for a Romantic country house wedding or Corporate event. Spains Hall is surrounded with beautiful formal gardens making it ideal for all social events. For more information please visit: http://www.spainshall.co.uk/