Enville, Stourbridge, England

The following is from the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.

HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT

The manor of Enville was held from the early 16th century by the Greys. Harry Grey, who inherited the estate in 1709, became the third Earl of Stamford in 1720, and thereafter Enville descended from the earldom. Harry died in 1739 and his son Harry (died 1768) married Lady Mary Booth (died 1772), daughter and heir of the wealthy George, Earl of Warrington (died 1758). It was during their time that the surrounds of Enville Hall were improved by William Shenstone (1743-63) and a range of buildings erected, and by the late 18th century Enville ranked with Hagley and The Leasowes (there are descriptions of both these sites elsewhere in the Register) as a place of pilgrimage for those of taste. The seventh Earl, who succeeded in 1845, was a keen gardener, and during his time spectacular and extensive flower gardens were laid out and once again Enville became celebrated. On the death of the seventh Earl's widow in 1905 the Staffordshire estates passed to her grandniece Catherine, daughter of the Rev Henry Payne, rector of Enville, and wife of Sir Henry Foley Lambert, Bt. The Lamberts took the name Grey in 1905. Enville remains (1997) in private hands.