Hutton-in-the-Forest — seven centuries of history, architecture, and landscape in one living estate.

In this film, we’re exploring Hutton-in-the-Forest — a remarkable Cumbrian estate that’s been home to the Fletcher-Vane family for more than four hundred years. Let’s take a look at its history from above.

Hutton-in-the-Forest sits quietly on the northern edge of the Lake District, surrounded by ancient woodland that once formed part of the royal Inglewood Forest. It’s one of the most historic country houses in Cumbria — and one of the few still lived in by the same family who’ve owned it for more than four centuries.

At the heart of Hutton lies a medieval pele tower, built around 1350 for defence during the turbulent border wars with Scotland. You can still see traces of that purpose in the arrow slits and thick stone walls. Over time, the fortress grew into a family home, as new wings were added in the Tudor, Jacobean, Georgian, and Victorian periods — each generation adding comfort and character rather than replacing what came before.

This gradual evolution makes Hutton almost a timeline of English domestic architecture in one building. The east front reflects the elegance of the 17th century, while the Gothic details on later sections come from a 19th-century redesign by Anthony Salvin, the same architect who worked on Alnwick Castle and parts of Windsor.

The Fletchers, who bought the estate in 1605, and their descendants, the Fletcher-Vanes, have shaped both the house and its landscape ever since. They’ve long been active in local and national life — serving as High Sheriffs, Members of Parliament, and more recently, Lord Inglewood, Richard Vane, has carried that tradition into the House of Lords and the European Parliament.

The gardens here are among the oldest in the north of England. The formal topiary yews, some over 300 years old, date back to the 17th century. The walled garden, first laid out in the 1730s, still produces fruit, vegetables, and flowers, much as it did centuries ago. Beyond it, the 18th-century parkland reflects the naturalistic tastes of the Georgian era, influenced by the style of Capability Brown.

Hutton’s setting still carries echoes of its medieval origins. The surrounding woods are remnants of the old royal hunting forest — home to oak and beech trees that have stood for hundreds of years.
During the English Civil War, the house was briefly held by Parliamentary troops, but it escaped serious damage, allowing its layered history to survive almost intact.

Over the centuries, Hutton has managed to stay a working family home. It’s still privately owned, yet open to visitors, giving a glimpse of a lived-in heritage rather than a preserved museum piece.

Seen from above, the story comes together clearly — a medieval tower at its core, surrounded by gardens and parkland that evolved through every age since. Hutton-in-the-Forest stands as a rare example of continuity in an ever-changing landscape — quietly preserving almost seven centuries of northern English history.

MUSIC
From my Heart by Serge Pavkin

https://hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk/

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