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Leckhampton Court, a 14th Century Cotswold stone manor house nestled at the foot of the Cotswold escarpment, was relinquished as a VAD Hospital during World War One. Owned by the notable Elwes family, the hospital opened in February 1915, and over four years it treated 1,700 injured and wounded soldiers.

Sir Henry William George Elwes served as a District and County Councillor in Gloucestershire for 32 years, and was Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire between 1992 and 2010. It was his grandmother, Muriel Elwes (nee Hargreaves), who owned Leckhamption Court during World War One.

As a child Sir Henry used to visit Leckhampton Court with his grandmother and recollects travelling to ‘Leck,’ as his grandmother called it, by pony and trap with his younger sister. They would pick loganberries and eat a picnic on the grass.

Historian and author Eric Miller describes how the recuperating soldiers were given every opportunity to engage in sport, they were very keen on cricket and shooting. They had competitions with the other eight hospitals in the area and Leckhampton is supposed to have won the cup on more than one occasion.

Today, Leckhampton Court is owned by Sue Ryder, national provider of hospice and neurological care.

Presented by Eric Miller, Leckhampton Court historian and Sir Henry Elwes.

Location: Leckhampton Court, Church Road, Cheltenham GL53 0QJ
Image: A ward at Lechampton Court, courtesy of Sir Henry Elwes

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