the property to boost his social status. As in modern times, for a wealthy social climber to climb even higher up the social ladder, one has to have all the trappings of wealth with a big mansion and huge entertaining budget to get into the inner circle of the rich and famous. T e house was expanded and more bedrooms and reception rooms were added to entertain the in-crowd including royalties. By the 20th century, without the
fortune of the brewery business by that time, the third Lord Gretton, the grandson of the fi rst Lord Gretton, sold it to Bob Payton in 1988, the American restaurateur and hotelier who owned the famous Chicago Rib Shack and Chicago Pizza chains. It is the sign of the times when for the fi rst time, Stapleford Park is no longer in the ownership of a British upper class. Bob Payton invested generously in the renovation, and converted the manor into a hotel and sporting club. Sadly, he was killed in a tragic car accident in 1994 and he left behind a legacy of a fi ne country house hotel for the well-heeled and discerning clientele. Today, Stapleford Park, under
new ownership, is the fl ag bearer of luxury manor hotels in Britain with the stately home restored to its former glory. It is considered to be one of the fi nest historic homes in Britain. It has 55 thematic bedrooms and 2 cottages, each individually designed, furnished and called after famous names such as Lady Gretton, Wedgewood, Crabtree & Evelyn, Coca Cola, Range Rover, IBM and MGM among others. For leisure, it has a championship golf course, swimming pool and a luxury Clarins Gold Spa which is housed in the beautifully restored Victorian stable blocks.
Feng Shui Features Stapleford Park is accessed though a
long driveway from the main road in a tree-line avenue. T e magnifi cent structure of this Georgian stately home looms into view at the end of the drive, built on an elevated land surrounded by 500 acres of stunning landscape. The sweeping parkland dotted with trees was designed by
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and mortar, they absorb the energy of the
Houses and buildings are not just brick
residents past and present.
the famous Georgian landscape architect Capability Brown (1716- 1783) who was dubbed “England’s greatest gardener” at that time. He was the celebrated garden designer of the wealthy upper class and royalty, famous for his design of keeping the
natural state of the land with parks and trees. T e River Eye fl ows through the estate from East to West, passing by the frontage of the house bringing in the positive chi of the ‘water dragon’. A superb “bright hall” of a large expanse of meadow delivers positive chi to the building and the energy level is enhanced by a lively colony of waterfowls of geese, ducks and swans residing by the river. It is an idyllic English countryside scene straight out of oil paintings so often portrayed by the famous Georgian artist John Constable famed for his landscape painting.
The Crabtree & Evelyn room
The Grand stairway with family crests and portraits.
JULY/AUGUST 2011 | FENGSHUIWORLD
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