Strelley Hall

31/08/2026

WHEN STRELLEY HALL FEATURED ON NATIONAL TV

In 2022, Strelley became the focus of a national archaeology programme on Channel 4.
Strelley Hall was the setting for an episode of The Great British Dig programme, when the team led by Hugh Dennis explored the site to uncover the remains of an old medieval castle under the Georgian stately home.
The archaeologists, assisted by a team of local volunteers, dug three trenches in the car park and gardens of the Strelley Hall. They found the old castle walls buried in the ground, plus several artefacts which enabled them to deduce a surprisingly detailed picture of what the medieval building would have looked like. No skeletons but some other fascinating finds including interesting animal bones and oyster shells to help us understand what the castle’s residents would have dined on, and medieval artefacts, including a jester’s bell, from the Great Hall of the castle.
Did you see the episode when it aired?

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31/08/2026

Lots of delicious cakes and ice creams to choose from today 🥰🧁🍦

Bank Holiday time at the Mulberry Tree Cafe 😀
We’re open 9.30-4pm on Bank Holiday Monday, lunch served until 3pm

29/08/2026

A GLIMPSE OF MISS EDGE'S MOTHER
There are still quite a few people who remember Miss Edge, and some who actually met her when she was living at Strelley Hall.
But how many people know what her mother looked like?
Here is a photograph of Miss Edge's mother in the garden at Strelley Hall.
We don't know about the occasion when this photograph was taken, but there's something rather lovely about seeing her enjoying the gardens of the Hall.
Photographs like this bring another generation of Strelley's history to life. The Hall wasn't simply a historic building it was a home, and generations of the Edge family lived their lives here.
For those who remember Miss Edge, this photograph offers a glimpse of the generation that came before her.
And for those who never had the opportunity to meet her, it is another small piece of the story of the people who called Strelley Hall home.
Do you remember Miss Edge?
Perhaps your parents or grandparents knew her, worked at the Hall or have stories about the Edge family.
If you have a memory, photograph or family story connected to Strelley Hall, we'd love to hear from you.
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26/08/2026

UPCOMING EVENTS at Strelley Hall this Autumn 🍂
Sunday 6th September 3pm-5pm: Proms on the Lawn
https://www.ticketsource.com/whats-on?q=Strelley+Hall
Saturday 12th September 10am-3pm: Heritage Makers Market FREE ENTRY, FREE PARKING
Saturday 12th September 1pm: Tour of Strelley Hall with cream tea £16, call 01159061200 or email [email protected] to book
Thursday 17th September: Afternoon Teas at Strelley Hall, visit https://www.strelley.com/afternoonteas to book
COMING LATER IN THE YEAR:
Carols in the Courtyard on Thursday 10th December,
Festive Afternoon Teas from 28th November..plus Mulberry Tree Cafe open every day, Mulberry Tree Bakehouse open Thursday through to Sunday 😀

25/08/2026

THE DUNGEON AT STRELLEY HALL
Here is a picture of the dungeon at Strelley Hall, taken from inside the dungeon looking up towards the steps.
The dungeon dates back to medieval times and was probably originally built as a cellar, forming part of the medieval fortified manor house.
But its use changed over the centuries and the space was later used to imprison poachers caught on the Strelley Estate, even as late as the 20th century.
Looking at the photograph, it's not difficult to imagine why this would have made an effective place to hold someone.
What started life as a medieval cellar ended up with a very different purpose centuries later.
What do you think it would have been like to be locked in here?
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22/08/2026

THE CASTLE ROOM
The Black Death reached Strelley in 1348 and is believed to have killed more than 200 of the village's population of around 300.
Sir Sampson de Strelley was one of those who survived. In gratitude for his survival, he built All Saints' Church in Strelley during the 1350s.
Around the same period, work was carried out at Strelley Hall to create a substantial fortified manor house.
At least three rooms from this medieval manor house survive within the Hall today.
This is one of them, the Castle Room.
And this room has some fascinating stories to tell.
The walls are more than a metre thick, and the ceiling is vaulted, like the cellar directly below. The panelling is believed to date from the Commonwealth period, although the room has been altered and added to many times over the centuries.
Then there's the fireplace.
At first glance, it looks relatively straightforward. The grey surround is Victorian, medieval tiles have been incorporated into it and the shape and decoration of the fire grate appear to be Georgian.
But the iron grate bears the date 1600. And that's where the mystery begins.
The fireplace doesn't look anything like a fireplace from 1600. The Georgian elements suggest a much later date, and there doesn't appear to be any obvious reason why 1600 would have been chosen as a significant date for Strelley Hall.
So why is 1600 cast into the iron? We don't have the answer.
And then there are the doors.
One of the cupboard doors in the Castle Room was made by reusing an old shutter, with pieces of timber added around it to make it fit. Even the main door into the Castle Room appears to have been constructed from several older pieces, including two old shutters.
Why would a wealthy household reuse old timber in this way?
Perhaps the answer lies in the history of the room itself. Or perhaps the people who lived here simply saw no reason to throw away something that could still be put to good use.
That's the fascination of old buildings. They don't always give up their secrets easily.
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19/08/2026

Proms on the Lawn! Sunday 6th September 2026 3-5pm
We've still got some tickets left for a fabulous afternoon of beautiful music on the lawn and terrace at Strelley Hall.
You can book online - and also pre-order one of our delicious cream teas:
https://www.ticketsource.com/brassfactoryevents/proms-on-the-lawn/e-yjerla
There'll be a bar at Strelley Hall reception on the day.

18/08/2026

THEN AND NOW – THE STABLES AT STRELLEY HALL
In 1800–1801, the Stables at Strelley Hall were constructed. At a cost of £340, they were very expensive compared with domestic houses at the time.
They were also built to last. The stables were constructed from good quality brick, mostly three courses thick, with a substantial timbered and slated roof.
When the Hall was sold in 1978, the Stables hadn't been used for decades and had fallen into disrepair.
During the 1980s and 1990s, they were briefly given a new lease of life as offices for PAFEC Ltd, before falling into disuse again.
Then, in 2015, Geraldine Rudham launched the Mulberry Tree Café, giving the old Stables a completely new purpose.
Today, it's hard to imagine the building in its former state.
The old Stables have been transformed into a welcoming café and are once again at the heart of life at Strelley Hall serving visitors, walkers, cyclists, local families and the businesses based here.
From housing horses and supporting the running of a country estate, to providing office space, and now serving coffee, cakes, lunches and their famous scones, this building has certainly had a few different lives.
Over 200 years after the Stables were built, the building is still being used and enjoyed by the community.
Swipe to see the transformation from then to now.
Do you remember the Stables before they became the Mulberry Tree Café? We'd love to hear your memories.

16/08/2026

A Garden Fete At Strelley Hall
Here is a picture of a Garden Fete held on the terrace at Strelley Hall. The picture is believed to be from the 1920s.
There is a large number of children gathered on the terrace, many of them dressed up for the occasion. It looks like they are taking part in one of the activities or performances at the fete?
And look closely, several of the children appear to be holding decorated poles or staffs.
Could this have been part of a May Day celebration? Were they children from Strelley village? Could they have been pupils from the local school?
We don't know the answer yet, but perhaps someone looking at this photograph might have a better idea.
Garden fetes were an opportunity for people to come together, enjoy the grounds and spend time as a community.
Strelley Hall is still a place where people come together today.
The Hall and its grounds now host a very different mix of events, from parties and celebrations to business events, markets, community activities and special events organised by Strelley Hall.
The fashions have changed, and the events have evolved, but 100 years later, the terrace and grounds are still being used to create occasions and memories.
Perhaps you have a family connection to Strelley or remember stories about events held at the Hall.
If you know something the occasion, we'd love to hear from you in the comments.
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13/08/2026

It was great to host a reunion for PAFEC Ltd at Strelley Hall on Sunday 2nd August.
PAFEC Ltd. was a computer solutions business founded by Richard Henshell. The business started life at Nottingham University 50 years ago and grew significantly during the 1980s and 1990s before being sold.
When Miss Edge died in 1978, Strelley Hall was bought by PAFEC. The Hall became the head office for PAFEC and also home to Richard and his family.
When PAFEC was sold, Richard launched a serviced office business at Strelley Hall and developed further sites in Mansfield and Worksop providing serviced office space, virtual office services, meeting rooms and day offices.
Whilst Richard and Marian Henshell still live at Strelley Hall, the site has developed far beyond its role as a business headquarters. It now also hosts events and is home to a successful café, bakery and independent retail businesses, creating a vibrant community of businesses and visitors.
It was particularly special to welcome former PAFEC colleagues back to Strelley Hall, to reconnect and share stories about the PAFEC days and also peoples' successes and interesting careers since then.