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The Grand Houses of Hornby
In the early history of Hornby there were four outstanding grand houses in the Hornby region.
"Ablington" was the first of these houses, built in 1858 on what was known then as Shands Track. It was bought in 1866 by Canterbury businessman and farmer Richard M. Morten and renamed "Broadlands". In 1874 it was sold and re-named "Oakhampton" by the new land owner Edmund Amyes. Later still in 1914 the land was acquired by T.W. Stephenson, and called "Branston Farm".
Stoneycroft
1910
"Stoneycroft" was a 13 bedroom mansion built in 1863 by one George A.E. Ross and used as a base for his considerable farming interests. His success however was short-lived for in 1867 he was declared bankrupt and sold the house to Richard Morten. Arthur R.V. Morten who inherited "Stoneycroft" on the death of his father in 1909 dismantled the house and built a new one alongside. This new building was acquired by the government in 1919 and used by out-patients from Sunnyside Hospital. It was later re-named "Hornby Lodge". It is now occupied by the Morley Lodge Restaurant.
Morley
Lodge
now
The third and arguably most impressive of these large houses was "Woodcote". Built in 1866 by Strickland Field, it was situated on 26 acres next to the great south road. After financial difficulties it was sold to C.F. Barker, and then to Hodgeson Steele. It was bought in 1878 by Sarah Bassett, and subsequently greatly expanded and surrounded by extensive gardens. However as was often the case in these times, the family's circumstances were to change and the splendour of "Woodcote" disappeared; the family was forced to move, but were unable to sell the house. The building survived into the early years of the twentieth century, but the end came when it burned down. All that remains of this property is a small portion of the original garden/trees in the Woodcote reserve on Woodcote Avenue.
Another early house was "Crisies Lodge", on the site of what is now Hornby Mall. Built in 1875 by Robert Reay, a prominent figure in racing circles, it was sold to Dr. Henry H. Prins in 1880 who continued to use it to breed and train racehorses until his death in 1896. The new owner, George Hamill, subdivided it into 50 sections, and around 1900 the house itself was moved to a site on Shands Road where it stood until demolished in 1963.
Compiled by Stephen P. from various sources. Please contact the Hornby Online Team if you have more early history to add.
Page last updated 26 March, 2008
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