Tales from the Attic: Saving Seckford Hall
Fenn Wright’s early history features several prominent properties for which they acted as auctioneer. Perhaps one of the most notable is Seckford Hall.
Seckford Hall was recently sold to entrepreneurs who have plans to renovate this historical gem and develop it to ensure that it becomes known as one of the top hotels in the UK. However, the striking Tudor building wasn’t always in safe hands. Having started life as a manor house in the late 12th century, it was largely enjoyed as a private home until it was requisitioned for military occupation during World War II.
Alan Williams, Managing Partner at Fenn Wright, tells us more: “It was decided that, before the occupation took hold and the home’s contents risked getting damaged, a sale of the furniture and other items at Seckford Hall would take place. It was Fenn Wright, then trading as Garrod, Turner & Son – who handled this auction in 1940. We found the auction brochure in our archives, and it includes a comprehensive list of the items sold, including beautiful oak furniture and oil paintings, pot plants and poultry! While it seems sad to have separated this magnificent home from its contents, this auction did in fact spare these items from potential ruin during wartime.”
