Juniper Hall

Juniper Hall is a large house dating back to the 18th century, with significant additions and alterations made in the 19th century. The original building stood on the site of the present east wing, and was initially known as the Royal Oak Inn. Sir Cecil Bisshopp added the north-west wing around 1762. The inn was subsequently demolished, and the house was rebuilt and extended further east around 1870, at which time the original north-west wing was substantially altered. The remaining portion of the north-west wing contains some 18th-century fabric.

The house is three storeys high and has seven windows. It is constructed of red brick, likely dating from the 1870 rebuilding, when two large and two small gables replaced the original top storey, which had a cornice and parapet. A large bay window with four windows is located at the north end of the front elevation, housing the Sculptured Drawing Room. A central three-bay entrance with a semi-circular fanlight became the front door when the wing was constructed in 1762, but was moved to the south front during the 1870 alterations.

The principal interior feature is the Sculptured Drawing Room, located at the ground floor corner of the north-west wing. This room contains plaster figures and plaques set within elaborate, foliage-patterned borders, with matching ceiling and chimney piece decoration. It is believed the room may have been designed by Lady Templeton, who is thought to have created a similar room at Norbury Park.

During the French Revolution, Juniper Hall served as a meeting place for prominent French emigrés, including Talleyrand, Narbonne, Madame de Stael, General D'Arblay, Lally Tollendal, Madame de Broglie, and the Princess d'Henin. Later, from 1814, the house was occupied by Thomas Broadwood of Broadwood’s pianos. Nine mature cedar trees in the garden to the west of the house were likely planted by Sir Cecil Bisshopp around 1762. The house is now owned by the National Trust and operates as a Field Studies Residential Centre. The historical significance of the house, linked to its association with these emigrés, and the survival of the Sculptured Drawing Room, are the key reasons for its listing.