Stonor Park
Welcome to Stonor - one of England’s oldest manor houses, situated in one of the most beautiful settings, owned by the same family of the same faith for 850 years.
The house contains a remarkable collection of family portraits, beautiful stained glass, old Master Drawings, European Bronzes, an early 19th century wallpaper of Paris as well as contemporary ceramics from England, Denmark, Korea & Japan.
The house, garden, old hall tea room & gift shop are open from April until the end of September. The park, with its herd of fallow deer, is also open by way of a public footpath throughout the year, from where there are stunning views of both the house and surrounding countryside.
In the house, see the unique variety of beautiful rooms, view fine works of art including paintings by old Italian Masters and learn about the unusual architectural development of the house and the fascinating history of the Stonor family over the last eight centuries. Visit the quiet calm of the thirteenth century family chapel attached to the house. Wander in the walled Italianate garden and enjoy spectacular views of the Chilterns from the former kitchen garden. Walk along the ancient footpath once used to drove the sheep which produced the wool which was sent to Flanders, where of course, so many famous tapestries were made. Watch the herd of famous fallow deer that used to supply the venison to the medieval Kings and Queens of England. Glimpse the many Red Kites and Buzzards that constantly fly above the park. Refresh with a true traditional English tea and enjoy our shop or organise a private tour and lunch.
The House appears as an E-shaped Tudor manor house behind a warm red brick façade with Georgian windows. Behind the Georgian exterior is a much older collection of buildings, which have never been completely rebuilt, including a hall dating back to medieval times. The 17th century library has a magnificent vaulted ceiling, an important original collection of recusant literature, and notable sculpture. The main public rooms, restored in the 18th and early 19th centuries from a 14th century hall contain fine furniture, family portraits, bronzes, stained glass, silhouettes, Italian pictures and drawings and a growing collection of contemporary ceramics.
Also open to view is the room, roof space and priest hole occupied by St. Edmund Campion, Jesuit and martyr, and his companions in the 1580's. They were given refuge in the House in order to print in great secrecy the famous "Ten Reasons" pamphlet arguing against the Established Church of the time. A permanent exhibition describes this turbulent chapter in the history of Stonor and of the Stonor family.
The Art Collection:
Like most very old manor houses, the contents of Stonor illustrate a wide range of taste. The complete collection of family portraits dates from the 16th century until the 20th century. Francis Stonor's collection (formed between 1945 and his death in 1968) includes Old Master Pictures and Drawings, spectacular bronzes, wooden sculpture, Venetian Globes, the extraordinary Shell Bed and French wallpaper with paintings of Paris.
Additionally, some very fine medieval and 18th Century stained glass adorns the Hall staircase and Drawing Room and there are interesting early Nepalese bronzes in the library. 18th and 19th Century American furniture as well as charts of Rhode Island are placed in the Long Gallery, as are the tapestries (on loan to us) together with contemporary ceramics from Europe and Asia.
The Chapel has important late 18th Century painted and stained glass as well as 16th and 17th Century statues and Gothic Revival chairs. The ante-chapel contains a very fine 20th Century carved wooden Stations of the Cross given by Graham Greene.
VISITORS INFORMAFTION:
Stonor will be open to the public in 2010 at the times and on the dates shown below:
• Sundays (4 April to 19 September inclusive)
• Bank Holiday Mondays
• Wednesdays (July and August only)
The Gardens and Chapel open at 1.00pm and the House, along with the Tea Room and Gift Shop open at 2.00pm. Last entry to the house is 4.30pm. The House, Gardens and Park close at 5.30pm.
The house, gardens and park will be closed on Sunday 13 June
Groups (minimum 20) are welcome by appointment on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday
between 6 April and 18 September. See Group Visits for more information
The Chapel is open to the public for Mass as follows:
At 10.30am every Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation
Prices (per person) for 2010:
| House, Gardens, Chapel |
| Adults |
£8.00 |
| First child (5-16) |
£4.00 |
| 2 or more children (5-16) |
£Free |
| Under 5's |
£Free |
| Gardens |
| Adults |
£4.00 |
| First child (5-16) |
£2.00 |
| 2 or more children (5-16) |
£Free |
| Under 5's |
£Free |
Groups - guided tour to include House and Chapel, and a visit to the Gardens
• Adults: £9.00
• Child (5-16): £4.50
We regret we are unable to take credit cards throughout the property
As the house is a collection of medieval buildings behind a Georgian façade, it is not suitable for wheelchairs as even the ground floor is not on one level. However, everyone's disability is individual and there are chairs at intervals for a visitor to rest. To see the first floor there are flights of stairs - one up and another down.
Stonor is located between M4 and M40 on the B480 Henley-on-Thames - Watlington Road, and approximately 5 miles to the North of Henley.
Stonor is approximately :
• 38 miles from London
• 15 miles from Reading
• 20 miles from Oxford
• 15 miles from High Wycombe
Driving times are approximately 15 minutes from junction 6 of the M40 and 25 minutes from junction 8/9 of the M4.
Nearest rail station is Henley-on-Thames (5 Miles).
Unfortunately, there is at present no public bus service to link with Stonor opening times, although taxis are available from Henley Station.
Address :
Stonor Park
Henley-on-Thames
Oxfordshire
RG9 6HF