Ancestral home of the
Cave family from c. 1430, the hall was built in the 1690s for Sir
Roger Cave, 2nd Baronet. Described by
Simon Jenkins as the "perfect
William and Mary house", the architect was
William Smith of Warwick. In 1792
Sarah, daughter of Sir Thomas Cave Bt, inherited the Cave estate on the death of her nephew Sir Thomas Cave, 7th Baronet. She had married Henry Otway in 1790 and was created
Baroness Braye in 1839. Her descendants remain in residence. (Henry Otway was
High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 1804). The
River Avon flows through the grounds, with a weir downstream, so a small lake is formed. The
aviation pioneer
Percy Pilcher built some of his early
gliders here in the 1890s; he also built a powered flying machine here that many historians believe was capable of flight, but he was killed nearby in an accident in 1899 before he could try it. An exact replica of Pilcher's "The Hawk" glider is exhibited at the hall. During
World War II the nuns and pupils from the Sacred Heart Convent and School in
Roehampton, London, were evacuated to the Hall. Their premises were so badly damaged that when war ended they had to relocate to
Woldingham School near London. From 1947 until 1949 it was the country branch of
St. Mary's Town and Country School. By that time the roof was uncared for and in serious need of repair, but the
Historic Buildings Council recommended a large grant for restoration and the hall was opened to the public in 1958. == Attractions ==