Belgrave Hall and Museum, Leicester

Belgrave Hall is a distinguished Queen Anne-style Grade II* listed building located in Belgrave, on the northern outskirts of Leicester, England. Constructed between 1709 and 1713 by Edmund Cradock, a Leicester hosiery merchant, the hall was originally designed as a grand family residence set within two acres of walled gardens adjacent to Belgrave Church.

Throughout its history, Belgrave Hall has been home to several prominent families. The Simons family occupied the estate for 45 years, followed by the Vann family for 78 years, during which they also constructed the nearby Belgrave House. The Ellis family resided in the hall for 76 years before it was acquired by Thomas Morley, who owned it for thirteen years. In 1936, Leicester City Council purchased the property, transforming it into a museum.

The three-story hall features a simple classical design with blue and red bricks in a Flemish bond, creating a chequered effect. The hall’s wrought iron gates, bearing an 'EC' monogram, open to a recessed entrance, while a brick parapet hides the three hipped gables, giving the facade a bold rectangular look.

Following its acquisition by Leicester City Council, Belgrave Hall was converted into a museum that recreated the domestic setting of a well-to-do eighteenth and early-nineteenth-century household. The museum housed furniture from various sources, including lion-mask chairs and a settee in the Drawing Room, originally belonging to grander residences. A 2005 refurbishment introduced a greater focus on the lives of domestic servants, showcasing the stark contrasts between the lifestyles of the upper-middle-class family and their staff in Victorian society.

Today, Belgrave Hall operates as a heritage site rather than a full-time museum, opening only at select times during the summer months. It also serves as a venue for private functions such as weddings and ghostwatches, maintaining its historical charm and continuing to attract visitors with its rich past and architectural elegance.