Moresby Hall

Dating back to 1620, Moresby Hall is one of only 3 Grade I Listed buildings in Cumbria. With a 5-star Gold Award, it offers stunning country guesthouse accommodation with a peaceful walled garden, free Wi-Fi and free parking.

Described by English Heritage as “One of the most important buildings in Cumbria” it boasts 13 individually designed, charming guest rooms. Some have a four-poster bed, and all come with a flat-screen TV, facilities for making tea and coffee and an iPod dock.

Breakfast offers a varied choice of buffet items and a freshly cooked full English Breakfast. Locally sourced produce from Cumbrian suppliers is used wherever possible. Dinner is available Monday - Saturday but booking is essential. Afternoon Teas are sometimes available on selected Sundays by prior arrangement or during the week for group bookings.

Moresby Hall enjoys a rural setting but is still only 2 miles from the picturesque marina in the Georgian market town of Whitehaven.

Parton Rail Station is just a 10-minute walk from the property.

Information about the host

Moresby name connects with a settler as early as 1150 taken from the ancient name “Morris”. The oldest part of the house has a spiral stone staircase, an ancient Pele tower. In medieval times they acquired large estates through conquest and marriage. *Christopher de Moresby fought at Agincourt, honoured with other knights by King Henry. Future Moresby’s swelled the family fortunes, vast estates and rights to 22 manors. Anne, Sir Christopher’s* great granddaughter was sole heiress. She married Sir Francis Weston who was famously executed by King Henry VIII, along with Queen Anne Boleyn. Moresby Hall was sold to The Fletchers, a local family and they owned Moresby for a 250 year period. William Fletcher entertained Mary, Queen of Scots during her sojourn in Cockermouth, prior to her imprisonment at Carlisle. He reputedly provided a length of cloth for a gown, as he was shocked at The Queen’s impoverished state. The Fletcher’s remodelled the front façade of the Hall. Primarily this is attributed to the eminent architect Inigo Jones, from the original design around 1617. The remains of the Moresby Roman Fort can be seen in the field adjacent to the Hall.

Jane and David Saxon welcome guests travelling for business or tourism. The emphasis is on relaxation, superb quality and genuine hospitality at their family home. Jane is a talented (self-taught) creative cook and also incorporates her love of flowers into the beautiful arrangements frequently on display. David uses his background in property development and maintenance to ensure this Grade I listed building has the TLC that is required to preserve it for future generations. This involves incorporating traditional building materials & methods and to that end he is self taught for many of the techniques required. As former Company Directors (with their commercial background) they have travelled extensively and included many innovative touches for their visitor's benefit. Moresby Hall is an oasis for guests who may not wish to stay in a large, impersonal or modern Hotel.

A few facts and information that might surprise you: •Whitehaven was featured in the Sunday Times list of Britain's top 10 seaside towns •Whitehaven was the first planned town since medieval times •In the mid 18th century, Whitehaven was used as a template for the expansion of New York •Sir John Rennie, who designed London Bridge, built Whitehaven's West Pier •Daniel Brocklebank, was based at Whitehaven and lived at Irton, founded the Brocklebank shipping line in 1770, which then became the Cunard Line. •Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels was kidnapped to Whitehaven as a child, and loved it ever afterwards •Whitehaven once supplied all of Dublin's coal •Whitehaven was once the main importer of tobacco on the West Coast •Whitehaven was one of biggest ports in the UK in 1700's, the town was the most important rum port and was once the third largest port in England •Until June 1998, Jefferson's; the oldest family run wine merchants in the country, still operated from their premises in Whitehaven. The property has now been transformed into The Rum Story Visitor Attraction •Brian Higgins, who wrote Cher's hit song 'Believe', comes from Whitehaven