MORE BLING THAN BLEAK: INGATESTONE HALL, ESSEX/BLEAK HOUSE

Charles Dickens’ novel Bleak House, which he started in 1852, concerns a lengthy legal dispute, namely the Chancery case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce.  The 15-part BBC adaptation of the book was first shown in 2005, but is currently available on BBC iplayer.  The exterior of Ingatestone Hall in Essex was used to represent Bleak House in the series.

Ingatestone Hall, which lies just outside the village of Ingatestone, a few miles northeast of Brentwood, Essex, is a 16th century manor house built by Sir William Petre, a secretary of state to dor royalty.  Petre’s descendants still reside on the estate, which includes 10 acres of gardens.  The Hall runs guided tours for visitors as well as hosting weddings and corporate events.

Map of the area.

Ingatestone Hall; south aspect (geograph 4578050). Photo by Michael Garlick, via Wikimedia Commons.