Party times to return to fun Georgian hall
A GEORGIAN “party house” is to be restored by the National Trust so that visitors can be tricked again for the first time in centuries.
The 18th-century Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland was once the venue for the theatrical Delaval family’s lavish balls, elaborate practical jokes and spectacular plays.
The larger-than-life “Gay Delavals” were among the most outrageous of all Georgian partygoers and loved playing pranks.
Guests fell victim to elaborate practical jokes and would awake to find their rooms had been turned upside down with furniture fixed to the ceiling.
A mechanical bed would give way to drop the sleepy occupant into a bath of freezing water and walls would disappear just as guests were undressing for bed. Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, architect of Blenheim Palace, the hall was splendid, but it was seriously damaged in the 19th century by fire and parts of it fell into disrepair.
The National Trust acquired the hall in 2009. A £3.7million Heritage Lottery Fund grant will allow urgent conservation to be carried out on the roof, basement and circular staircases and new visitor facilities and exhibitions.
The National Trust is putting £3 million of its charitable funds towards the project.