Welcome to Stately Homes

Quenby Hall was built in 1627. It remains a perfect and unspoiled jewel of a High Jacobean country house – the finest in Leicestershire and one of only a handful of such houses remaining in the UK. Many of the rooms are the same as they were when the architect conceived them with beautiful proportions, intricate plaster ceilings, finely worked panelling and fireplaces. It has the advantage of presenting a spectacular face to the world whilst being of a manageable size.

Quenby’s great claim to international fame is that Stilton cheese was first made there, by the housekeeper. Her daughter lived at the staging inn at Stilton, and sold her mother’s cheeses…the rest is history. The Old Dairy is now available for functions: Stilton is on the menu, but is optional!

It is the home of the de Lisle family whose ancestry in England dates back to the Norman conquest of 1066, and have lived in Leicestershire for over 300 years. Quenby was built by George Ashby, and it only passed out of the Ashby family’s hands at the turn of the twentieth century. It was bought in 1904 and restored by Lady Henry Grosvenor who made many Edwardian improvements and restored much of the Jacobean interior after it had been georgianised by Shuckburgh Ashby in the mid eighteenth century.

Only twenty years later it was bought by Sir Harold Nutting who lived and hunted happily there for 50 years until his death in 1972. The Queen of Denmark and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester and David Niven stayed here during this era. The Squire de Lisle then bought Quenby, to replace the family seat at Garendon Hall, which was demolished in 1964. Quenby has been extensively restored and now offers the highest level of warmth and comfort whilst remaining faithful to its Jacobean heritage.

Weddings:

The setting of Quenby is perfect for weddings, providing both romance and a sense of scale yet in beautiful rooms which provide a sense of warmth and intimacy, they aim to ensure that you feel that the house is yours. As it is not open to the public and because Quenby is a family home, they do limit the number of events throughout the year. All clients have exclusive use of the house and will have the peace of mind that another client won’t be leaving just as they are arriving. You can have a special day from beginning to end, tailored to your own wishes, for example:

* A beautiful bedroom and bathroom for preparation and dressing of the bride
* A civil marriage ceremony in the panelled Brown Parlour, or the intimate Library, or the larger Great Hall
* A reception for up to 150 guests inside the house
* A banquet inside the house (maximum 80 in their largest room)
* A Marquee accessed through the Great Hall. This allows ample space for dining, dancing and entertainment whilst using the house for a reception

Alternatively the Old Dairy beside the house provides a delightful country-style hall for up to 100 seated, with high beams and an open fireplace. Dancing is permitted there.

Weekend Meetings/Overnight Stays:

Quenby can offer four double suites (two four posters, two twins) and a single room for small group two-day sessions. This is ideal for those travelling from the USA , across from Europe using East Midlands airport (25 mins), or from London. Leicester Airport, for light aircraft, is only ten minutes away. For more information, do visit their Website.

Business Meetings, Conferences and Product Launches:

At Quenby they offer the highest level of privacy, comfort and efficiency in a remarkable historic setting which is unique, and only 20 minutes from the M1 and the centre of Leicester. If you are looking for neutral white purpose built conference suites and built-in plasma screens, then we admit Quenby is not for you! Their management can organise all the technical presentation aids you may require, within our Jacobean setting. Mr Frederick and The Hon Mrs de Lisle would be delighted to host your luncheon or dinner upon request.

Quenby Hall’s dramatic setting on a hilltop at the end of a half-mile long oak-bordered drive provides a superb backdrop for product launches. The height and breadth of the end wall of the Great Hall provides a dramatic large screen space for visual presentations. For corporate entertaining, the 1400 acres of parkland, woods and farm offer unparalleled opportunities for sport of all kinds; clay shooting, off-road driving, coarse fishing, riding and hunting, paintballing - even croquet!

Opening Times - 2010:

Not open to the public. Available for exclusive hire as a film location and for conferences, weddings and special events.

Admission Prices - 2010:

Please contact property for details.