Lamport Hall, Northampton, England

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

HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT

In 1560 John Isham (died 1596) of Pytchley, a successful wool merchant, bought the manor of Lamport. After his death Lamport passed from father to son: to Thomas (died 1605), John (knighted 1608, created baronet 1627, died 1651) and Justinian (died 1675), the last of whom, an MP and Fellow of the Royal Society, rebuilt the chancel of Lamport church and commissioned the new, classical, south-west front of the Hall. In 1676 his son Sir Thomas embarked on an extended Grand Tour, and it was in 1676-9, during this absence, that Lamport's gardens were reworked. He died in 1681 and was succeeded by his brother Sir Justinian (died 1730), MP in fourteen parliaments. His son Sir Justinian (died 1737) commissioned Francis Smith of Warwick to enlarge the house, a project continued by his brother and heir Edmund (died 1772). Sir Charles Isham (died 1903), owner from 1846, vegetarian and spiritualist, made further alterations to the house and added to Lamport's gardens. Lamport, let in the early 20th century, continued in the male line until 1976. Then, under the terms of the will of Sir Gyles Isham, the Hall passed to the Lamport Hall Trust, an educational charity. It remained the owner in 1997.