Hutton in the Forest

Hutton in the Forest stands near Skelton in Cumbria as a Grade I listed country house. The Fletcher-Vane family owned it from 1605 until 1931, when the Barons Inglewood took over. Originally a medieval stronghold, the pele tower still survives from that time. Generations have shaped the house, blending styles from the 17th century to today. The gallery, rare in northern England, dates to the 1630s and holds early furniture and portraits. The hall, built in 1680, features the Cupid Staircase leading to mid-18th century rooms like the Cupid Room. The drawing room dates from about 1830, the library from 1870, and Lady Darlington’s Room reflects Arts and Crafts design. The Walled Garden, built in the 1730s, displays a wide variety of herbaceous plants. Terraces laid out in the 17th century frame the garden, while the woodland walk includes a 17th-century dovecote with its original potence. The 1st Lord Inglewood introduced new tree species, and the arboretum now lists seventy varieties. Close by is the small church of St James, first recorded in 1291. Victorian architect Anthony Salvin carried out major renovations. Inside, a fragment of a Norman Cross remains, and memorials recall the influence of the Fletcher and Vane families. The church sits in the Green Field, a quiet reminder of centuries past.