So, this is my first attempt at a report and I will welcome any feedback. I doubt I will bring anything particularly fresh to this location but it is a good'un and hasn't been overly covered.
The History
Brampton Park Officers' Mess is a former country house, then used by RAF Support Command at RAF Brampton. Brampton Park dates back to the 12th century and the house, known as the Grange, was built in 1821-22 to designs by Thomas Stedman Whitewell. It was altered in 1825 by John Buonarotti Papworth. The main part of the house burned down in 1907 and was rebuilt and extended on the east side in red brick to form a symmetrical design. The south facade is constructed from yellow brick and the roof is tiled. The north front of the house incorporates one of the surviving 19th Century wings as its west end and the 19th Century Pump Room survives on the first floor of the north-west wing.
During the First World War, the house was used to house German prisoners. At the beginning of the Second World War it was used as the 'Sun Babies Nursery', to house about 100 infants evacuated from North London. In 1942 the house was taken over by the United States Army Corps (HQ 1st Air Division) until 1945-6. In late Spring 1945, Headquarters Technical Training Command moved to Brampton from Shinfield Park. The Grange became the headquarters and the personnel were billeted in the Park.
The house was used as the headquarters of various RAF Command and Group Headquarters from 1955 onwards (see Record 1550941). In 1982 the upper floor of the building was damaged in a fire and in 1987 a refurbishment programme was carried out on the house, completed in 1988. In 2012 RAF Brampton was put for disposal by the Ministry of Defence.
The Explore
I had visited this site when it was still in service so knew where to find it, which helps when it is now becoming lost in a maze of new build houses. I visited on a snowy Sunday morning with the better half. Access was almost too easy and I was worried that it would be destroyed as a result. Fortunately any damage was superficial. This building has planning permission in place to turn it into a care home but work has not yet properly started. Anyway, on with the pics and hope you enjoy.
The History
Brampton Park Officers' Mess is a former country house, then used by RAF Support Command at RAF Brampton. Brampton Park dates back to the 12th century and the house, known as the Grange, was built in 1821-22 to designs by Thomas Stedman Whitewell. It was altered in 1825 by John Buonarotti Papworth. The main part of the house burned down in 1907 and was rebuilt and extended on the east side in red brick to form a symmetrical design. The south facade is constructed from yellow brick and the roof is tiled. The north front of the house incorporates one of the surviving 19th Century wings as its west end and the 19th Century Pump Room survives on the first floor of the north-west wing.
During the First World War, the house was used to house German prisoners. At the beginning of the Second World War it was used as the 'Sun Babies Nursery', to house about 100 infants evacuated from North London. In 1942 the house was taken over by the United States Army Corps (HQ 1st Air Division) until 1945-6. In late Spring 1945, Headquarters Technical Training Command moved to Brampton from Shinfield Park. The Grange became the headquarters and the personnel were billeted in the Park.
The house was used as the headquarters of various RAF Command and Group Headquarters from 1955 onwards (see Record 1550941). In 1982 the upper floor of the building was damaged in a fire and in 1987 a refurbishment programme was carried out on the house, completed in 1988. In 2012 RAF Brampton was put for disposal by the Ministry of Defence.
The Explore
I had visited this site when it was still in service so knew where to find it, which helps when it is now becoming lost in a maze of new build houses. I visited on a snowy Sunday morning with the better half. Access was almost too easy and I was worried that it would be destroyed as a result. Fortunately any damage was superficial. This building has planning permission in place to turn it into a care home but work has not yet properly started. Anyway, on with the pics and hope you enjoy.
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Still glad you shared, hope you keep it up!
