Washington Old Hall
Washington Old Hall History
Connection to George Washington
Connection to George Washington
The first historical record of Washington Old Hall is from the early 12th century, when it was known as Wessyngton Manor and owned by the Bishop of Durham. Around 1180, William de Hertburne (1160–94) exchanged his tenancy of Hartburn, County Durham, for the manor of Wessyngton, assuming 'de Wessyngton' as his new surname, as was the custo
The first historical record of Washington Old Hall is from the early 12th century, when it was known as Wessyngton Manor and owned by the Bishop of Durham. Around 1180, William de Hertburne (1160–94) exchanged his tenancy of Hartburn, County Durham, for the manor of Wessyngton, assuming 'de Wessyngton' as his new surname, as was the custom.
The Wessyngtons continued to rent the manor from the Bishops of Durham for seven generations. In 1402, Eleanor de Wessyngton (1370–1451) married Sir William Tempest (c. 1373–1441) of Studley Royal, and the tenancy transferred to the Tempest family.
The building that the Wessyngtons and the Tempests lived in survived into the 17th century. In 1613, William James, Bishop of Durham (1542–1617) purchased Washington Manor and with it the hall. The purchase was a settlement for James’s youngest, son Francis (1601–61). It was Francis who altered the hall into the building that we recognise today. He incorporated some elements of the medieval hall built by the Wessyngtons into a new two-story building, sometime before 1645.
Parts of the original hall are still visible to this day, including the pointed arches at the west end of the Great Hall.
Photo: National Trust/Ellaine Hush
Connection to George Washington
Connection to George Washington
Connection to George Washington
The family tree of George Washington (1732–99), first president of the US, can be traced all the way back to the Wessyngtons who once lived at Washington Old Hall. George Washington is descended from Robert de Wessyngton I (c. 1273–1324), the second son of Sir William de Wessyngton III.
In around 1292 Robert de Wessyngton I left Wessyngton
The family tree of George Washington (1732–99), first president of the US, can be traced all the way back to the Wessyngtons who once lived at Washington Old Hall. George Washington is descended from Robert de Wessyngton I (c. 1273–1324), the second son of Sir William de Wessyngton III.
In around 1292 Robert de Wessyngton I left Wessyngton and married Joan de Strickland, heiress of Carnforth, Lancashire. In the 15th century their descendants adopted a new spelling of their name, and Wessyngton became Washington. Lawrence Washington settled in Northamptonshire in the 16th century, building Sulgrave Manor between 1539 and 1560. Lawrence's descendant, Colonel John Washington, emigrated to Virginia in 1656. John's great-grandson was George Washington.
Photo: National Trust/ Fiona Sime
Visit Washington Old Hall
Connection to George Washington
Visit Washington Old Hall
Washington Old Hall features the thirteenth-century manor house associated with George Washington.
You can also visit the gardens, which include ornamental flower beds, fruit trees, pollinator-freindly planting, a wildlife-rich nuttery, and a small play area.
Washington Old Hall is open from February-October:
Thrusday-Monday 11:00 -16:00.
N
Washington Old Hall features the thirteenth-century manor house associated with George Washington.
You can also visit the gardens, which include ornamental flower beds, fruit trees, pollinator-freindly planting, a wildlife-rich nuttery, and a small play area.
Washington Old Hall is open from February-October:
Thrusday-Monday 11:00 -16:00.
No booking is required (excluding some events). Last entry is one hour before closing.
Please check the National Trust Website to plan your visit!
Photo: National Trust/ Ellaine Hush