How long has Middleton Hall been lived in?

One of the claims that has been made about Middleton Hall is that it was the longest continually inhabited domesticated building in Warwickshire. It was a continual residence from about 1220 to 1966. This can be claimed because, from the time of the initial construction of the Hall, there was a continual seamless inheritance or purchase of ownership. Furthermore, due to a period of shared ownership, even when one owner had their share confiscated, another still retained residence. Moreover, even when the principal family were missing from the Hall, it remained the residence of the steward or tenants.

Only the foundations remain of the first version of Middleton Hall. However, the next date that could be used to calculate this claim from was when the Stone Building was constructed. Incidentally, the Stone Building at Middleton Hall also holds the claim of being the oldest surviving domesticated building in Warwickshire. It is known that the Stone Building was constructed between 1247 and 1285.

The last residents of Middleton Hall were the Averill family. John Averill had purchased Middleton Hall in 1924 and, following his death at Middleton Hall in 1955, it was inherited by his son Frederick. In 1966, Frederick sold Middleton Hall and its surrounding land to Amey Roadstone Construction (ARC). This broke the chain of continuous habitation.

Middleton Hall, c.1960s. Photograph taken by Jacqui Brown.

Although Middleton Hall ended as a residence in 1966, that was not the case for the Tudor Barn, which continued to be lived in until the 1970s. The Tudor Barn’s foundations also date to about 1220, at which time it appears to have been a kind of longhouse. However, it was almost completely reconstructed in 1604 to the form that it has today. This new version of the structure provided accommodation on the first floor. It is known that, in more recent centuries, it was a residence for labourers on the Estate and their families but historically it is more uncertain. There are some suggestions that servants did live there intermittently. However, it has also been suggested that, because of its quality, it might possibly have been a lodging house for visitors, especially visiting knights for whom a household was legally required to always provide a bed. Hence, determining how long the Tudor Barn was continually used as a residence is challenging.

Question provided by - Tour group.

Author - Debbie Jordan, Middleton Hall Volunteer.

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