Okeover Hall

{{Infobox building | name = Okeover Hall | native_name = | native_name_lang = | logo = | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | image = Okeover Hall (geograph 5312802).jpg | image_size = | image_alt =  | image_caption =  | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_mark = | pushpin_label = | pushpin_relief = | map_caption = | pushpin_mapsize = | coordinates =  | former_names = | alternate_names = | etymology = | status = | cancelled = | topped_out = | building_type = House | architectural_style = | classification = | location = Okeover, Staffordshire | address = | location_city =  | location_country = England | grid_name = | grid_position = | altitude = | current_tenants = | namesake = | groundbreaking_date = | construction_start_date = | construction_stop_date = | topped_out_date = | completion_date =  | opened_date = 1747 | inauguration_date = | relocated_date = | renovation_date = | closing_date = | demolished_date = | cost = | ren_cost = | client = | owner = | landlord =  | affiliation = | height = | architectural = | tip = | antenna_spire = | roof = | top_floor = | observatory = | diameter = | circumference = | weight = | other_dimensions = | structural_system = | material = | size = | floor_count = | floor_area = | elevator_count = | grounds_area = | architect = | architecture_firm = | developer = | engineer = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | civil_engineer = | other_designers = | quantity_surveyor = | main_contractor = | awards = | designations = | known_for = | ren_architect = | ren_firm = | ren_engineer = | ren_str_engineer = | ren_serv_engineer = | ren_civ_engineer = | ren_oth_designers = | ren_qty_surveyor = | ren_contractor = | ren_awards = | parking = | public_transit = | website =  | embed = | embedded = {{Infobox designation list | embed = yes | designation1 = Grade II* | designation1_offname = Okeover Hall | designation1_date = 10 January 1953 | designation1_number = 1231031<ref name="NHLE1231031">{{NHLE| num=1231031 |desc=Okeover Hall |grade=II* |accessdate=17 January 2015}}</ref> }} | references = | footnotes = }} '''Okeover Hall''' is a privately owned Grade II* listed country house<ref name=IOE>[https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1231031 Images of England: architectural description of listed building Okeover Hall]</ref><ref name="NHLE1231031" /> in Okeover, Staffordshire, England. It is the family seat of the Okeover family, who have been in residence since the reign of William Rufus (d. 1100 AD). The house lies close to the border between Staffordshire and Derbyshire, which lies on the far side of the small River Dove. The Hall is not open to the public.

The house and manor church (14th century, restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott) were pillaged by the Jacobite forces as they marched south to Swarkstone Bridge in 1745. In 1745–47, Leak Okeover had the old hall enlarged to Palladian designs by a London carpenter and joiner, Joseph Sanderson, a cousin of John Sanderson, the architect.<ref name=IOE/> The house is a testament to the high level of education and competence that might be elicited from a well-trained Georgian craftsman.

The Georgian east wing is the oldest part of the house dating from 1745 to 1746.<ref name=IOE/> A north wing was demolished in the early 19th century. The south and west wings were rebuilt 1953–60 to a sensitive Neo-Georgian design by Marshall Sisson.<ref name=IOE/>

Stables at right angles to the house form a separate nine-bay range with a central pediment on Doric pilasters over three rusticated arches and are separately listed as Grade II.<ref>[https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1231032&resourceID=5 Heritage Gateway; architectural description of listed building, Okeover Hall Stables]</ref><ref name="NHLE1231032">{{NHLE| num=1231032 |desc=Stables approximately 50 yards north east of Okeover Hall |grade=II |accessdate=17 January 2015}}</ref>

A feature of the house is the Grade II* wrought iron inner gateway (1756) with armorial overthrow, by master smith Benjamin Yates, a pupil of Robert Bakewell,<ref name="NHLE1231033">{{NHLE| num=1231033 |desc=Inner gate piers, gates and railings to Okeover Hall |grade=II* |accessdate=20 January 2015}}</ref> and the outer gates, also Grade II*, by Bakewell himself.<ref name="NHLE1277410">{{NHLE| num=1277410|desc=Outer gates and gate piers to Okeover Hall |grade=II* |accessdate=17 January 2015}}</ref> In 1887, the Hon. Maud Okeover married Sir Andrew Barclay Walker, a successful brewer of Gateacre, Liverpool (see Walker-Okeover baronets), who in 1884 had purchased Osmaston Manor in nearby Derbyshire. His son, Sir Peter Walker, the 2nd Baronet, married Ethel Okeover in 1899. Sir Ian Walker, the 3rd Baronet, inherited Okeover in 1956 and assumed the name of Walker-Okeover, demolished Osmaston Manor in 1964, and moved the family seat back to Okeover. The estate is currently owned by Sir Andrew Walker-Okeover, 5th Baronet.

Several members of the family have served as High Sheriff of Staffordshire and of Derbyshire.

==References== {{reflist}} *Howard Colvin, ''A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1660-1840'', 3rd ed. 1995, under "Joseph Anderson" * {{cite book | last = Beard | first = Geoffrey | year = 1966 | title = Georgian Craftsmen and Their Work | url = https://archive.org/details/georgiancraftsme00bear | url-access = registration | publisher = Country Life | location = London | oclc = 1061927 }} (2nd edition: published by South Brunswick and New York: A. S. Barnes & Company, 1967. {{OCLC|1477644}})

==External links== *[https://www.thornber.net/staffs/html/okeover.html Craig Thornber, ''Strolling Through Staffordshire'': Okeover Hall]

{{coord|53.0301|-1.7659|type:landmark_region:GB-STS|display=title}}

Category:Country houses in Staffordshire Category:Georgian architecture in England Category:Grade II listed agricultural buildings Category:Grade II* listed houses in Staffordshire Category:Grade II* listed gates Category:Houses completed in 1747 Category:Palladian Revival architecture in England