Dingley, Northamptonshire

Dingley is a village and civil parish in Northamptonshire, England, located along the A427, about 2mi east of the nearest town, Market Harborough. It is also close to the A6 and near the border with Leicestershire. At the time of the 2001 census, the parish's population was 209 people, reducing to 194 at the 2011 census. GovernanceDingley is part of Kettering borough. Dingley HallThe main feature of the village is Dingley Hall which has had many famous owners over the centuries. A house has stood on this site from medieval times when it was a Preceptory for the Knights' Hospitallers. It is first recorded as Dinglei, meaning "the woodland clearing marked by valleys". At the dissolution of the monasteries it was sold to Edward Griffin. During the late 1550s the house was extensively rebuilt leaving only the tower and porch. Further additions were made in the 1680s and the porch - which is dated 1558 - was re-sited during these alterations. In 1781-2 the west wing was demolished, but it remained a large rambling house. It became the home of the First World War naval leader Admiral David Beatty. The Hall continued as a family home until 1936. During World War II it was used as a nursing home. Although the estate was sold in 1958, the house was left to deteriorate until it was gutted in 1972. In 1978, it was bought by the architect Kit Martin who divided it into seven houses and three flats. Nothing is left of the original interiors.

Dingley is a village and civil parish in Northamptonshire, England, located along the A427, about 2mi east of the nearest town, Market Harborough. It is also close to the A6 and near the border with Leicestershire. At the time of the 2001 census, the parish's population was 209 people, reducing to 194 at the 2011 census. GovernanceDingley is part of Kettering borough. Dingley HallThe main feature of the village is Dingley Hall which has had many famous owners over the centuries. A house has stood on this site from medieval times when it was a Preceptory for the Knights' Hospitallers. It is first recorded as Dinglei, meaning "the woodland clearing marked by valleys". At the dissolution of the monasteries it was sold to Edward Griffin. During the late 1550s the house was extensively rebuilt leaving only the tower and porch. Further additions were made in the 1680s and the porch - which is dated 1558 - was re-sited during these alterations. In 1781-2 the west wing was demolished, but it remained a large rambling house. It became the home of the First World War naval leader Admiral David Beatty. The Hall continued as a family home until 1936. During World War II it was used as a nursing home. Although the estate was sold in 1958, the house was left to deteriorate until it was gutted in 1972. In 1978, it was bought by the architect Kit Martin who divided it into seven houses and three flats. Nothing is left of the original interiors.