This was one of the grandest houses in Lincolnshire but was seriously damaged by fire in 1945 and demolished in 1960.

Blankney Hall was built in the 1790s for the Chaplin family.

Additions and remodelling during the nineteenth century brought new stables and a large service wing as well as a new front and attic storey.

More details about this house and its owners can be found in T R Leach and R Pacey's book, 'Lost Lincolnshire Country Houses: Volume 1', published by SLHA.  Buy a copy. .

"Gates. Mid C19. Ashlar and iron"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1359358 

Kelly's Directory of Lincolnshire has an entry for the 3rd Earl of Londisborough in 1919 :-

"Londesborough Earl of, Blankney hall; Londesborough park, Market Weighton, Yorks; Londesborough lodge, Scarborough; The Island, Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey & 7 Chesterfield gardens, Mayfair, London W1"

DB 2020

A distant view of the stable block from public footpath to the south.

"Stable block. 1825 by E J Wilson for Henry Chaplin"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1205446 

DB 2020

View of walled garden from the south.

White's Directory of Lincolnshire 1856 states :-

"Blankney Hall, a large and handsome mansion, with a well-wooded lawn, is the seat of Charles Chaplin, Esq., the lord of the manor, owner of most of the soil"

"The last Chaplin, Henry, led an extravagant lifestyle and had political ambitions; this lifestyle coupled to the falling revenues from farms led him ever into debt until finally in 1892, the estate passed to the principal mortgagee William Denison, 1st Earl of Londesborough"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blankney 

Kelly's Directory of Lincolnshire 1919 states :-

"Blankney Hall, a large and handsome mansion of stone, standing in a park of 200 acres, is one of the seats of the Earl of Londesborough, who is lord of the manor and the principal landowner"

DB 2020

Marine boiler repurposed for agricultural use. Advised locally that many such boilers were available cheaply at the end of the Second World War.

Located at Brickyard Farm (National Grid reference TF087601).

DB 2020

"The Old Coach-Road was constructed from the Hall to Metheringham railway station (then called Blankney and Metheringham station) 1.2 miles (2 km) away, around the beginning of the 20th century by Lord Londesborough.

It was run through woodland both existing and newly planted and where it crossed the Blankney to Martin road, a bridge with high parapets was built to take the road over the coach-road.

It was probably constructed to allow the Earl's visitors, in particular the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII) who used the Hall as a discreet retreat for his amorous adventures, to arrive and depart without being seen by the local populace"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blankney 

(Was the Old Coach Road constructed earlier than suggested in the Wikipedia article? It is shown on the OS 25 inch map surveyed 1886 and the bridge bears the Chaplin family crest and has a date stone reading 1884)

DB 1 August 2020

Chaplin Crest a griffin's head on the bridge parapet.

On the opposite parapet there is a date stone reading "1884" which would have been prior to the estate  passing to its principal mortgagee Charles Denison, 1st Earl of Londesborough in 1892"

DB 1 August 2020

Tragic mid air collision between Lancaster LM130 and Hurricane PZ740 during a fighter affiliation exercise on March 11th 1945.

Located on a public footpath near Ash Holt at Grid Reference TF076596.

DB 2020

Tragic mid air collision between Lancaster LM130 and Hurricane PZ740 during a fighter affiliation exercise on March 11th 1945.

Located near Ash Holt at Grid Reference TF076596.

DB 2020

"Pair of cottages, now clubhouse and cottage. c1835 by W A Nicholson"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1359360 

"Unusually, the Hall was not built within its park, the park being on the opposite side of the village's main road.

Although part of the park has been lost to arable farming much of it remains as a golf course.

The course was first laid out over 9 holes in 1902 by the 2nd Earl of Londesborough, in all probability at this stage for the use of himself and his guests, but in 1904 Blankney Golf Club was formed to manage the course which it continues to do today.

In 1938 it was decided to extend the course to 18 holes and this extended course came into play at the start of the 1940 season"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blankney 

DB 1 August 2020

"Farmhouse. c1835 by W A Nicholson ... This building is part of the complete estate village erected by the Chaplin's of Blankney Hall"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1359361 

DB 17 October 2020 

Inconspicuous entrance to the Old Coach Road.

Opposite Metheringham Station at National Grid Reference TF 07725 61340.

DB 17 October 2020 

"Post Office and estate cottage. c1835 by W A Nicholson ...

 This building is part of the complete estate village erected for the Chaplin family of Blankney Hall"

DB 2020

Water pump located next to the school.

DB 2020

RAF Metheringham (1943-1946) was largely located in the adjoining parish of Martin but also in Blankney.

Sign located near Woods Close, Blankney Barff (Grid Reference TF111614).

DB 16 March 2020

Memorial to RAF Metheringham and 106 Squadron located Linwood Moor, Blankney (Grid Reference TF109606).

Designed and built by John Pye and dedicated 8th July 1992. 

Although named RAF Metheringham it was located largely in the adjoining parish of Martin but also in Blankney.  

DB 16 March 2020

"School, now parish room. 1848 by W A Nicholson ...

This building is part of the complete estate village erected by the Chaplin family of Blankney Hall"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064286 

DB 2020

Date stone reading "1823". 

White's Directory of Lincolnshire 1856 states :-

"In the village is a National School, established 35 years ago, by the Chaplin family. The present school is a neat building in the Elizabethan style"

DB 1 August 2020

Medieval arches survive in St. Oswald's, Blankney, much of the church is Victorian.

The tower was built between 1805 and 1807, there is a Perpendicular north chapel.

A marble monument to Lady Florence Chaplin recalls the ownership of Blankney by that family.

"Parish Church. C12, C13, C15 west tower rebuilt 1805-7, restored c1820 and restored 1879-81 by Carpenter and Ingelow"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064285 

DB 2020

White's Directory of Lincolnshire 1856 states :-

"The Church (St. Oswald) is a neat Gothic fabric, with an embattled tower. Under a chapel at the north end of the chancel is the vault of the Chaplin family"

DB 2020

Kelly's Directory of Lincolnshire 1919 states :-

"The living is a rectory, net yearly value £450, including 35 acres of glebe, with residence, built in 1881, in the gift of Capt. the Hon. Eric Chaplin, and held since 1915 by the Rev. Charles Henry Sibthorp M.A. of Trinity College, Dublin"

DB 2020

DB 28 January 2019

Looking east towards the sanctuary.

DB 10 August 2023

Looking back through the chancel arch and into the nave.

DB 10 August 2023

Kelly's Directory 1930 reports "the east window, together with a monument with statue in white marble, executed by the late Sir J. K. Boehm bart. R.A. are memorials to Lady Florence, daughter of George, 3rd Duke of Sutherland K.G. and wife of Viscount H. Chaplin ; she died October 10, 1881"

DB 10 August 2023

"In loving memory of JOHN OTTER STEPHENS M.A. Priest Honorary Canon Southwark Cathedral Born 26th April 1832 Died 14th Aug. 1925 Rector of this Parish 1879-1903"

DB 10 August 2023

"Elaborate wooden reredos c1900 carved, painted and gilded"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064285?section=official-list-entry 

Kelly's Directory 1930 notes "the reredos was designed by the late Temple Moore, the altar cloth and frontal, purchased at Seville by the Rev. John 0. Stephens M.A. late rector 1879-1903, are 16th century work, and were presented by him to the church"

DB 10 August 2023

A closer view of the sanctuary.

DB 10 August 2023

"Heavily restored double arched sedilia with circular shaft"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064285?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 August 2023

Encaustic floor tiles are used to decorate much of the church. Those pictured here are in the chancel.

DB 10 August 2023

Lancet window in the south wall of the chancel.

DB 10 August 2023

Lancet window in the south wall of the chancel.

DB 10 August 2023

Northeast corner of the church.

DB 10 August 2023

"Chantry chapel contains a large Gothick style monument with marble relief of mourning lady to Lady Florence Chaplin, 1851"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064285?section=official-list-entry 

Local signage has "This is a life size figure of Lady Florence kneeling at prayer carved in white marble with a gothic stone surround, by Sir Edgar Boehm. It was made in 1881 to commemorate her death" 

Lady Florence died in childbirth. 

DB 10 August 2023

Plaque below the life size figure of Lady Florence kneeling at prayer.

"LADY FLORENCE CHAPLIN DAUGHTER OF THE THIRD DUKE OF SUTHERLAND, BORN 1855, DIED 1881. ERECTED BY HER HUSBAND HENRY VISCOUNT CHAPLIN"

DB 10 August 2023

"Small mandala-shaped wall tablet to Caroline Chaplin"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064285?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 August 2023

"Near this Place are deposited the Remains of Thomas and Jane Porter : The latter died suddenly on the 25th of Decr. 1789 Aged 64 ; The former, long afflicted, departed this Life, on the 14th of August 1800 Aged 76 - He was, 30 Years, Prebendary of the Collegiate Church of Southwell; and for forty Years, Rector of this Parish" 

DB 10 August 2023

Kelly's Directory 1930 reports that "the organ was presented by Lady Florence Chaplin".

DB 10 August 2023

"Designed by Dr Derrinder Built by Gray & Davison : Limd. 370 Euston Rd London" 

Another plaque reads "Restored & Improved by Cousans Sons & Co. Lincoln"

DB 10 August 2023

"IN LOVE REMEMBER THE RT. HON. HUGO WILLIAM CECIL DENISON FORTH EARL OF LONDESBOROUGH NOVEMBER 13, 1894 - APRIL 17, 1937"

The earldom became extinct on the death of the fourth Earl.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_Londesborough  

DB 2020

"TO THE MEMORY OF FLORENCE ELDEST DAUGHTER OF THE 3RD DUKE OF SUTHERLAND WHO WAS BORN APRIL 18TH 1855 MARRIED IN NOVEMBER 1876 TO HENRY CHAPLIN OF BLANKNEY AND DIED AT BLANKNEY AFTER 2 DAYS ILLNESS ON THE 10TH OCTOBER 1881 ..."

Not visible in the image are railings and an ornamental gateway around the grave. 

DB 28 January 2019

"Lychgate. 1883 by G F Bodley ...

'ERECTED IN MEMORY OF FLORENCE CHAPLIN, 1883'"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1205442 

DB 2020

"IN LOVING MEMORY OF MARY SEFTON WHO DIED OCTOBER 4TH 1890 - THIS TABLET IS PLACED BY THE CHAPLIN FAMILY WHOSE DEVOTED NURSE SHE WAS FOR MANY YEARS"

DB 10 August 2023

Looking east towards the chancel.

Kelly's Directory 1930 states :-

"The church of St. Oswald is a building of stone, in the Gothic style, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles and an embattled western tower with eight pinnacles and containing 6 bells:

the church was rebuilt about 1820, and restored in 1879-80, under the direction of Messrs. Carpenter and Ingelow, at a cost of about £3,000, when the north aisle and chancel were lengthened, and the porch, with its ancient archway, rebuilt:

the organ was presented by Lady Florence Chaplin ;

the reredos was designed by the late Temple Moore, the altar cloth and frontal, purchased at Seville by the Rev. John O. Stephens M.A. late rector 1879-1903, are 16th century work, and were presented by him to the church:

the east window, together with a monument with statue in white marble, executed by the late Sir J. E. Boehm bart. R.A. are memorials to Lady Florence, daughter of George, 3rd Duke of Sutherland K.G. and wife of Viscount H. Chaplin; she died October 10, 1881;

the lych-gate, erected from a design by G. F. Bodley esq. A.R.A., F.S.A. was presented by the late William Ellice (d. 1892), and Lady Jane Ellice, his wife:

there are 200 sittings"

DB 10 August 2023

Looking west towards the tall C19 tower arch and font.

DB 10 August 2023

Looking across the nave and into the north aisle. Three bay nave arcades. C19 pews.

DB 10 August 2023

C19 wooden roof.

DB 10 August 2023

One of many ornate C19 iron candelabra in the nave and chancel.

DB 10 August 2023

Local signage has "The Lectern is a splendid mid-18th century eagle with one claw on a serpent"

DB 10 August 2023

C19 pulpit with a plaque in memory of Florence Chaplin.

DB 10 August 2023

Plaque at base of the pulpit. 

"To the glory of God and in loving memory of Florence Chaplin, this Pulpit is placed by Ernest & Delene Chaplin"

DB 10 August 2023

Looking east towards the chantry chapel and organ.

DB 10 August 2023

Looking past the war memorial to the single lancet west window.

DB 10 August 2023

A memorial bell was provided after the First World war. An inscription on the bell reads :-

"Thanks be to G0D who giveth us the Victory

A Thankoffering for Peace from the Farmers of Blankney 1919"

Additionally a tablet, pictured here, was provided in the church recording the names of the 12 fallen. A second tablet was added following the Second World War with 3 more names.

DB 10 August 2023

Single lancet west window.

The stained glass seems to form a pair with the west window of the south aisle. 

DB 10 August 2023

Window east of the war memorial. 

There is a plaque beneath the window reading "IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM MALTBY & ALICE HIS WIFE 1880-1963 : 1877-1957".

DB 10 August 2023

"TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF SAMUEL OVERTON WHO DIED 25TH SEPTEMBER 1910 AGED 73 YEARS ALSO OF ELIZABETH HIS WIFE WHO DIED 10TH DECEMBER 1930 AGED 84 YEARS THIS WINDOW IS GIVEN BY THEIR CHILDREN"

Window west of the war memorial. 

DB 10 August 2023

"The gabled south porch has diagonal buttresses, a coped gable and cross finial.

The outer archway, has a shallow arched opening with shafts and a moulded chamfered arch"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064285 

DB 2020

Looking east towards the praying desk and single lancet east window.

DB 10 August 2023

Single lancet window. 

A brass plaque beneath the window reads "TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF EDWARD CHAPLIN * BORN 28TH MARCH 1842 * AT REST 23RD DECEMBER 1883 + THIS WINDOW IS PLACED HERE BY MARY SEFTON HIS FORMER NURSE"

DB 10 August 2023

Plaque beneath the east window of the south aisle.

"TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF EDWARD CHAPLIN * BORN 28TH MARCH 1842 * AT REST 23RD DECEMBER 1883 + THIS WINDOW IS PLACED HERE BY MARY SEFTON HIS FORMER NURSE"

DB 10 August 2023

Plaque on the south wall. 

"TO THE BELOVED MEMORY OF FRANCIS - 2ND EARL OF LONDESBOROUGH WHO DIED OCTOBER 30TH 1917 AND OF HIS SON GEORGE FRANCIS WHO SUCCEEDED HIM AS 3RD EARL OF LONDESBOROUGH AND WHO DIED AT BLANKNEY - SEPT. 12TH. 1920"

DB 10 August 2023

Prayer desk at the east end of the south aisle. 

"Unusual praying desk, made from C18 table legs"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064285?section=official-list-entry 

"In affectionate remembrance of MARY WARD The devoted servant for thirty eight years in the family of the Rev John O. Stephens Rector of Blankney Dec-15-1899"

DB 10 August 2023

"IN MEMORY OF CHARLES HENRY SIBTHORP RECTOR 1915-1941"

DB 10 August 2023

Single lancet window to the west.

The stained glass seems to form a pair with the west window of the north aisle. 

DB 10 August 2023

Pevsner states :-

"St Oswald. Largely a rebuilding of 1878-81 by R. H. Carpenter & Ingelow of an early C19 rebuilding which in turn incorporated medieval bits.

Proud w tower of 1805-7 with paired bell-openings and eight pinnacles (cf. Beckingham)" 

DB 2020

Chaplin family crest, a Griffin's head, on the west face of the tower.

"West tower rebuilt 1805-7, restored c1820 and restored 1879-81 by Carpenter and Ingelow"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064285 

DB 2020

"Lincolnshire Bells & Bellfounders" compiled and edited by John R. Ketteringham reports that the fire bell from Blankney Hall is unhung in the church. John Taylor & Co. founders Loughborough 1899.

DB 10 August 2023

"TO THE GLORY OF GOD. AFTER DOING SERVICE FOR 100 YEARS THE FIVE BELL WOODEN FRAME IN THIS TOWER WAS REPLACED BY AN EIGHT BELL IRON FRAME, IN WHICH THE BELLS WERE RE-HUNG AND QUARTER TURNED (No. 1 BEING RE-CAST). AT THE SAME TIME A TREBLE BELL WAS GIVEN BY THE FARMERS OF THE PARISH AS A THANK OFFERING FOR THE RESTORATION OF PEACE, AND WAS DEDICATED BY THE LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN ON MARCH 14TH 1920"

DB 10 August 2023

Font positioned under the tower.

DB 10 August 2023

2-light window with reticulated tracery at the base of the tower.

DB 10 August 2023

"Lodge Cottage. c1835 by W A Nicholson, in a Neo-Jacobean style ...

This building is part of the complete estate village erected by the Chaplin family of Blankney Hall"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064288 

DB 2020