Welbeck Estate: Riding School and Stables (aerial 2013)

Image: © Chris Taken: 4 Sep 2013

After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Welbeck Abbey Estate eventually became the principal family seat of the Dukes of Newcastle. In the 18th century, it passed through an heiress into the Bentinck family and became the seat of the Earls and Dukes of Portland. It was the 5th Duke of Portland who undertook the most substantial building works at Welbeck. This immense riding hall (seen centre left, to the right of the square stable block) is 396' long, 108' wide and 50' high. At the time it was the second largest riding hall in the world, exceeded only by the huge manege attached to the Kremlin in Moscow. A 1,000 yards long tunnel led from the house to the riding hall. Nearby was a tan gallops of 422 yards (386 m). It was lit by 4,000 gas jets and was heated to enable training at night and in winter. The 'Tan Gallops' is named after the spongy oak chips that covered its floor. They were a by-product from leather tanning and a good surface for the horses to run on. See: http://www.welbeck.co.uk/ ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welbeck_Abbey For a historical view (1878) of the whole estate see: http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/Jacks1881/welbeckp1.htm

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