Loton Park

For other uses, see Loton.

Loton Park is a country house near Alberbury, Shrewsbury in Shropshire, on the upper reaches of the River Severn. It is a Grade II* listed building.

File:Loton Park country house - geograph.org.uk - 462532.jpg

Loton Park

The hall circa 1870. From an album of an uncle and aunt of the Leightons of the day. Showing on the far wall is Sir Joshua Reynolds' Frances Anne Crewe (miss Greville), as St. Genevieve, c1773.

File:Photograph of Loton Park's hall, c1870.jpg

A photograph of the hall, circa 1870.

It stands in 400 acres (1.6 km²) of parkland which includes one of the two privately owned deer parks to remain in Shropshire and is notable for its population of red kites.

History

File:Loton Hall, 1796.jpg

Loton Hall, 1796

The estate is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The core of the present house dates from the 17th century, though significant remodelling was carried out throughout the 19th century. The ruins of an earlier castle, built in 1340, survive in the grounds.

The north front was built in 1712 by Sir Edward Lelghton, 2nd Baronet, who moved his family seat here from Wattlesborough Castle, and was High Sheriff of Shropshire for 1727. In 1805 the 5th Baronet entertained the Prince Regent and the Duke of Clarence at Loton. The 6th Baronet was wounded in the American War of Independence, was a Brigadier in Portugal and Governor of Carrickfergus Castle. The house is currently the home of Sir Michael Leighton, 11th Baronet (see Leighton Baronets).

The estate is also prominent in motorsport as the location of the Loton Park Hill Climb.

References

• English Heritage:Images of England, detailed architectural description

External links

• "A family story told in stone - GARETH WILLIAMS visits the home of generations of Leightons"
• www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Loton Park and surrounding area