Heslington Hall is a Grade II* listed rebuilt manor house near the village of Heslington, in the city of York. The Hall is now the administrative centre of the University of York.
The original Manor house was built in 1568 for Sir Thomas Eynns and his wife Elizabeth. Over the centuries it was owned by a variety of eminent people. Architect Philip Charles Hardwick was commissioned in 1854 to rebuild the hall in the Victorian style. Parts of the original manor house which were preserved include two staircase towers, the courtyard and the pendant stucco ceiling of the great hall.
At the outbreak of the Second World War the house was vacated by the owners who allowed it to be taken over by the Royal Air Force as the headquarters of No. 4 Group RAF, part of RAF Bomber Command. The hall was not re-occupied by the owners after the war.
When the University of York was founded (it opened to students in 1963) Sir Bernard Feilden supervised the conversion of the Hall into the administrative headquarters of the University, a role which it continues to fulfil.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, which put this shot on the Popular Page.
It was interesting to learn about the origin of Heslington Hall. It was also fascinating to see how much has changed on the University campus.
Ian
Ian