Wood Norton Hall - A Victorian Royal Mansion
Written by John Richard Hodges
Wood Norton Hall, once the centre of a large country estate, was bought in 1872 by the Duc d’Aumale for a hunting lodge. He was the 4th son of Louis Philippe, the last king of France. The mansion was completely rebuilt in 1897 by Louis Philippe Robert Duc D`Orléans who succeeded the Duc D’Aumale as the head of the Bourbon-Orléans Royal Family.
The Duc lived in a great style at his country seat at Wood Norton and in 1907 hosted the wedding of his sister Princess Louise when many of the Royal families of Europe came to Worcestershire to attend the wedding.
In 1939 – the Hall was bought by the BBC as an alternative broadcasting centre during World War Two and later was a training centre for the company, it has its own unique and fascinating history.
Today Wood Norton is a fine 21st Century hotel, restored to its former glory as a Royal Mansion and as a first class hotel, banqueting and conference centre.
The Duke of Aumale as a young man
