June 14, 2025

Stubton Hall

Information from Neighbourhood Development Plan

Stubton Hall website.

Documentary evidence of the development of the village was very sparse until the late 1700’s. The Heron family took over the Stubton Hall estate in 1789, being inherited by Sir Robert, from his uncle Sir Richard, in 1805. The house was originally used only for summer visits, but after being elected MP for Grimsby Sir Robert adopted it as his main home. Wishing initially to remodel the existing house, he commissioned Sir Jeffrey Wyatt, a sought after architect at the time, who had previously worked on Windsor Castle and the Orangery at nearby Belton House.

However, when work started, on discovering the poor state of the house they revised their ideas, and a new design was prepared for a restrained, classical style building similar in style to Wolley Park in Berkshire. Sir Robert and his wife, Amelia, had no children and when he died in 1854, the estate, including large sections of land in Stubton and Claypole passed to a male relative of Amelia’s, George Neville. Beyond Stubton Hall parkland, arable farming was the main activity, providing the majority of the employment in the area.

The Village Economy

Another major business in the parish is the newly refurbished Stubton Hall, a country house hotel, renowned as one of the premier wedding venues in the country. This supports a network of suppliers providing catering services and property maintenance. The restoration of Stubton Hall has created local revenue and jobs, both in Stubton and through the local supply chain. The business directly employs 6 full-time and 52 part-time staff. Many of these are in the 17-25 and over 50 age brackets, for which jobs are particularly scarce in rural communities. Most employees live within 10 miles and many commute on foot or by bicycle. Whilst many of the jobs are only part-time, they are not short-term.

These opportunities allow young people to build a CV whilst continuing education, starting a business or caring for a family.

The owners are spending an additional £1 million with local builders to restore an 18th century stable block, add an extra 18 bedrooms and create a luxurious spa, which will further enhance local employment prospects.

During the World War 2, Stubton Hall was requisitioned by the 1 Airborne Div Provost Company. Then became a special-needs school after the 2nd World War before finally becoming a wedding venue.

Images of the 1 Airborne Div Provost Company outside Stubton Hall – CLICK HERE.

The 1st Airborne Division Provost Company, also known as “Para Provost,” was a unit of the Royal Military Police (RMP) that provided Military Police support to the 1st Airborne Division during World War II. It was formed in 1942 and served alongside the airborne divisions in various campaigns, including North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Normandy, Arnhem, and the Rhine Crossings. The Para Provost were also known for wearing the distinctive Parachute Regiment maroon beret with the Military Police badge. 

National Archives catalogue reference WO 171/407

  • Month and year: September 1944
  • Commanding Officer : Major O.P. Haig
  • 1st September 1944
  • Place: Stubton

At this time the Company is still very scattered, 3 Sections being under command of Brigades, 32 N.C.O’s already in Belgium with the transport and the H.Q. and 1 Section at Brize Norton in the south of England.

  • 15th September 1944
  • Place: Stubton
  • Gliders loaded for Operation “Market”.
  • 16th September 1944
  • Place: Stubton
  • Briefing for Operation “Market”.
  • 17th September 1944
  • Place: Stubton
  • First Lift take off for N.W. Europe; this included all the Airborne Element of the Provost Company with the exception of No.2 Section under command of 4th Para. Brigade, and remainder of Advance Div. H.Q.
  • 18th September 1944
  • Place: Stubton
  • Take off of 2nd Lift which included the remainder as mentioned above.
  • 17th-25th September 1944
  • Place: Nr. Arnhem
  • It is impossible to give a complete picture of the Operation since contact was only made in the very early stages with Nos. 1 and 2 Sections, and of these two Sections only one N.C.O. from No.1 Section has so far returned.  At Div. H.Q. the Company Commander and all Airborne personnel landed safely, including the Jeep.  A Prisoners-of-War cage was established on some hard tennis courts and by the morning of 21st September there were some 200 prisoners, including 4 women and 2 officers.  Of the 200 prisoners taken up to this time 60% were S.S. – the remainder Wehrmacht.  There were few between the ages of 20 and 40.  After the fourth day the weather closed in and very few supplies were dropped and still less landed in the right place with a result that for five days no rations were issued to the prisoners.
  • 25th September 1944
  • Place: Nr. Arnhem
  • Shelling and mortaring has become very heavy and snipers have infiltrated into our positions.  Assistant Provost Marshal and R.S.M. both wounded.
  • 26th September 1944
  • Place: Nr. Arnhem
  • Men were briefed for withdrawal across the river tonight at 1500 hours.  Div. H.Q. moved 2230 hours, Provost Party some 2 hours later, Cpl. Dale and L/Cpl. Storry remaining behind with the prisoners until the last Party is clear.  The Provost Party under Captain Gray ran into opposition on the way down to the river and Captain Gray received wounds from which he subsequently died.  Only one of the Party succeeded in getting across the river.  Out of a total of 5 Officers and 66 Other Ranks who took part in the Operation 1 Officer and 11 Other Ranks returned.
  • 27th to 28th September 1944
  • Place: Nijmegen
  • Meet up with our Seaborne transport and manage to get cleaned up a bit.
  • 29th September 1944
  • Place: Louvain
  • Move to Louvain.
  • 30th September 1944
  • Place: Brussels
  • 1600 – Emplane Brussels Air Port, land Barkstone Heath 1930 hours.  A band and bacon and eggs arranged by War Office in one of the hangars.