This charming country house was built in 1700, the 2 storey extension being added in two phases in the 19th century.

For generations, Gunby Hall was the seat of the Massingberd family.

After narrowly escaping demolition in World War 2 (to extend a runway for an adjoining airfield), Gunby was given to the National Trust, who now care for the Hall and gardens.

Frank Robinson

This charming country house was built in 1700, the 2 storey extension being added in the 19th century.

For generations, Gunby Hall was the seat of the Massingberd family.

After narrowly escaping demolition in World War 2 (to extend a runway for an adjoining airfield), Gunby was given to the National Trust, who now care for the Hall and gardens.

This view of the Gunby Hall is across a large lawn.  To the right is the Victorian extension, completed in two phases.

February 2013

Montgomery Massingberd, Mr V Lushington, Mrs S Lushington, Mildred Massingberd and Stephen Massingberd on the west lawn in 1898.

David Robinson Collection

"Small country house, former seat of Massingberd and Langton families, now owned by the National Trust.

1700, altered c.1730, with extensions of 1873 and 1900 of Dining Room, Servants' Hall and Service Wing"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063656 

DB 3 March 2014

"In the south side a Venetian window at first floor level of c.1730, 5 original blank openings, 2 upper windows and in the parapet 2 circular apertures.

The 2 lead rainwater heads bear the date 1700 and initials"WEM""

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063656

DB 24 March 2014

House viewed from the north with the 2 storey extension built 1873 and 1900 in the foreground.

Signboard pointing to the basement entrance right reads "TEAROOM ENTRANCE DOWNSTAIRS" - more recently the west range of the stables has served as the tearoom.  

Central white door is the normal entrance for National Trust visitors.

DB 15 January 2012

Another view across the east lawn. 

Kelly's Directory of Lincolnshire 1919 states :-

Gunby Hall, the property and seat of Major Stephen Langton Massingberd J.P. lord of the manor and sole landowner, is a fine mansion in red brick built 1700:

the Hall stands in a well-wooded park, and commands extensive views of the sea and of the surrounding country.

This family is one of high antiquity in Lincolnshire, and at an early period held lands at Sutterton, of which Lambert Massingberd, who lived in the reigns of Edward I. and II. was one of the first possessors.

Thomas Massingberd in the 14th century married Juliana, daughter and co-heir of Sir Hugh Bernake, of Burgh; and Robert, his son, wedded Agnes, daughter and sole heir of Robert Halliday, of Burgh ...

Christopher Massingberd was chancellor of Lincoln, 1532, and archdeacon of Stow, 1543:

Sir Thomas Massingberd, whose monument is in the church, resided chiefly at Bratoft, the principal seat of the family till the close of the 17th Century:

a later Thomas represented Calais in the Parliament of 1552 and was buried here in 1584:

during the Civil war, Henry Massingberd, of Christ's College, Cambridge, and the Inner Temple, raised a troop of horse for the service of the Parliament, and was created by the Protector a baronet by patent, dated July 16, 1658; the title, however, does not seem to have been used, and soon after the Restoration, having, it is said, "maintained an inviolable allegiance to his lawful sovereign," he was created a baronet anew by Charles II. 22 Aug. 1660;

the title became extinct on the death of Sir William Massingberd, 3rd bart. M.P. Sept. 8, 1723.

Elizabeth Mary Anne, daughter of Henry Massingberd esq. who inherited the estates in 1870, became the eventual heiress of the family, and married Peregrine Langton esq. who thereupon assumed the name of Massingberd, and was the ancestor of the late lord of the manor" 

DB 24 March 2014

The Band of the Lincolnshire Regiment play at the annual flower show in the grounds of Gunby Hall, 1914.

David Robinson Collection

"The gardens are laid out in an informal English style with large Victorian walled and kitchen gardens, lawns, an arboretum and carp pond believed to be older than the main hall.

There are 50 types of apple tree, 21 of pear and over 50 types of rose in the gardens.

There is also a 17th-century dove cote, a grass tennis court, croquet pitch, cottage, apple store and studio"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunby_Hall 

Looking towards the summer house c.1800 and dovecote. 

DB 11 August 2012

Another view of the gardens with the dovecote left of center.

Dovecote is at least as old as the house. 

DB 17 June 2012

The National Trust Ice House Pond Walk states :- 

"Hidden beneath the overgrowth on the eastern side of the pond is the former ice house.

During the winter, ice would have been collected from the pond and stored in the ice house where it could have been used as a source of ice during the summer, pre-refrigeration"

DB 13 September 2016

Became ante room to the new dining room in 1873.

Previously the housekeeper’s room.

DB 14 August 2019

Regency dining chairs with sabre legs and caned seats.

DB 14 August 2019

View of the drawing room, probably early twentieth century

David Robinson Collection

Fireplace probably altered late C19.

DB 20 August 2014

Books mostly collected between 1690 and 1730.

DB 7 December 2014

Music room with Bluthner grand piano.

DB 15 January 2012

Staircase with twisted balusters c1730.

DB 14 August 2019

Study used by Field Marshal Sir Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd with his military library.

DB 7 December 2014

"Stable block. 1736 with alterations of 1917 ... 

The clock was designed by the brothers Adam for Hook Place, Hants., in 1778, and brought here in 1917 to commemorate the return of Stephen Massinqberd from the Great War"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063657 

DB 3 March 2014

Marked as the King's Head, a beer house, on the 25 inch OS map published 1906.

DB 18 May 2019 

The East Lincolnshire Railway line ran through Gunby parish about two-thirds of a mile east of the Hall.

A public footpath which runs from Gunby Church to Bratoft crosses the track bed of the former railway line at TF 471658.

Fifty years after the closure of the line the substantial concrete posts of the crossing gate still stand solid and erect.

Jean Howard, May 2021 

The gates at this self-operated crossing are both in poor condition. (This photo shows the gate on the other side of the track bed.)

The timber rails and uprights of the crossing gate have decayed and are beginning to fall apart, but metal hinges, brackets and latch mechanism have survived in good condition.

Jean Howard, May 2021 

A water supply system for Gunby Hall was installed in the meadowland to the south-east in the nineteenth century.

A natural spring was piped into this small covered reservoir and then pumped to the Hall.

February 2013

The unremarkable church of St Peter at Gunby is close to SE corner of the Hall and a considerable distance from the main road (A158). 

This is the north elevation of the building where there is an accretion of ugly extensions which face the gardens of Gunby Hall.

St Peter's church viewed from the west.

Frank Skelton, 1970s

View from the south-east.  Trees and shrubs encroach on the churchyard and mask the building.

However, the graveyard has a fine display of snowdrops in the early spring.

February 2013

Like many churches associated with country houses, St Peter's at Gunby is located near to the house but a considerable distance from the village houses.

February 2013

Interior view looking east.

Fittings are all C19 including the stone pulpit. 

DB 20 July 2018

Interior view looking west.

"Double chamfered tower arch on moulded corbels"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1359687 

DB 20 July 2018

"Dr Raymond Maurice Ayres, Scientist, aeronautical software engineer and bell founder"

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/53334/mr-raymond-ayres-mechanical-engineering-msc/ 

Managing Director of John Taylor Bell Foundry and lessee of Gunby Hall. 

DB 20 July 2018

"The chancel east window has fine early C20 stained glass, to commemorate Marqaret Massinqberd d.1906, of Gunby Hall.

The central light contains a portrait of the deceased"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1359687 

Pevsner gives the maker as Morris & Co. whereas the church guide states James Powell & Sons.

DB 20 July 2018

"The fittings are all C19, including octaqonal font in C13 style with blank pointed arcades to base"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1359687 

DB 20 July 2018

"SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF / ALGERNON MASSINGBERD / WHO IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN / SHOT AT FORT TABATINGA ON THE / AMAZON RIVER. / JULY 1855 IN THE 27TH YEAR OF HIS AGE. / THIS TABLET IS PLACED TO HIS MEMORY / BY HIS MOTHER, CAROLINE, WIFE OF / ALGERNON LANGTON MASSINGBERD" 

Hounded by creditors Algernon departed for America early in 1852 never to return.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gunby-estate-hall-and-gardens/features/the-massingberd-family 

DB 20 July 2018

"In the nave a pair of fine brasses beneath a double canopy to Thomas Massinqberd of Gunby and Johanna his wife, d.c.1405"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1359687 

DB 20 July 2018

"Judqe William Lodynton d,1420, feet on a doq, under a cusped oqee canopy"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1359687 

Justiciary in the court of Common Pleas during the reign of Henry V.

DB 20 July 2018

"On the north side of the nave is a low Tudor arch to the organ chamber"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1359687 

A brass plaque on the organ states that it was the gift of Stephen Massingberd 1869 -1925.

DB 20 July 2018

Second world war memorial to Richard Langton and Donald Massingberd heirs of Gunby.

DB 20 July 2018

First world war memorial listing 4 names.

DB 20 July 2018