Buttercross Mindset Training

Stapleford Park

Our seminars are hosted by Stapleford Park in Leicestershire. Within easy driving distance from most of the Midlands, Stapleford can be found nestled against woodland, among gently rolling fields and pastures, on the border between Leicestershire and Rutland. Both the house and grounds present a haven of tranquility amidst the surrounding agricultural landscape. The whole estate exudes an aura of timeless beauty and elegance.

This relaxed atmosphere in a hidden world, tucked out of sight and infused in history, provides the perfect setting for learning. Learning against a memorable background helps to entrench memories, and Stapleford is made of memories.

A thousand years ago Stapleford was a thriving Saxon village. At the time of the Domesday Book, there were over fifty households. Now, only a few remain, the rest lost over the centuries to plagues, enclosure and time.

Stapleford Park originated with the union of two manors by the Sherard and Tamblyn families sometime before the mid-16th century. William

Sherard, knighted in 1622, during the reign of James I, and later ennobled as the Baron of Leitrim, began a transformation by rebuilding the Hall and likely laying the foundation for the park. His son, Benet Sherard, further expanded the Hall around 1670.

The Sherard lineage flourished, culminating in the creation of the Earldom of Harborough in 1719. The estate saw its most significant enhancements under the fourth Earl, Robert Sherard, who in the 1770s, brought to life the gardens and grounds, to a design credited to the renowned landscape architect, Lancelot "Capability" Brown. Brown's vision defined the park's layout, introducing sweeping vistas and carefully set woodlands, intended to mature into the park we see today.

Stapleford village, once a bustling medieval settlement, gradually diminished as the estate expanded. By the early 19th century, the park had tripled in size, incorporating much of the surrounding land. Most of the village's remnants, including St. Mary Magdalene's church and a scattering of cottages, were absorbed into the estate.

In 1894, the estate passed into the hands of the Gretton family, ushering in another period of alterations and additions to the Hall. Stapleford remained the home of the Gretton family until the late 1980s. The Park today, with its centuries-old trees and carefully tended gardens, remains largely as envisioned by its creators hundreds of years ago.

The approach to the house follows a winding, wooded driveway through the grounds, and after you pass under the archway where passengers once boarded their horse-drawn carriages, you follow the driveway round to the main entrance and reception. The stately building, with its mellow stone facade, stands as a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship of its creators and to centuries of careful stewardship. Each stone seems to whisper tales of times past, whilst the surrounding gardens and lawns offer an oasis of calm and serenity.

In the grounds of Stapleford Park lies a wealth of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. The harmonious blending of architectural grace and natural beauty, from the intricate patterns of the formal gardens to the meandering pathways that wind through wooded glades, every corner of the estate invites exploration.

The rich, leafy smell of the woodland changes subtly as you pass between the different trees and bushes and melds with the earthy scent of the ground, punctuated by the distinct aromas of wild flowers and blossoms. Majestic trees, their branches reaching silently into the sky, provide dappled shade on warm summer days, whilst the birdsong, the rustle of a light wind and the gentle trickle of water offer a soothing soundtrack to the natural symphony of the land.

For those seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life, Stapleford Park offers a sanctuary of peace and relaxation. Whether wandering the gardens, enjoying a leisurely drink on one of the lawns or simply admiring the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, one cannot help but be captivated by the timeless charm of this rustic idyll.

Stapleford Park is a place of beauty, where art and nature intertwine in perfect aesthetic harmony. It is a place to escape the cares of the world, to feel the rhythms of the Earth and to savour the sublime hills and vales of old England.

Stapleford is a place you will remember forever.

Directions

Stapleford Park,
Stapleford,
Near Melton Mowbray,
Leicestershire, LE14 2EF.

www.staplefordpark.com

Telephone: 01572 787 000.

By car:

✦ From Melton Mowbray follow the B676 towards Grantham. Turn right at signpost for Stapleford.

✦ From Grantham follow the B676 towards Melton Mowbray. Turn left at signpost for Stapleford.

✦ From Oakham follow the A606 towards Melton Mowbray. At Burton Lazars, turn right onto Cross Lane and continue until you see a signpost directing you to turn left towards Stapleford.

✦ From Leicester find your way out of the city and head towards Melton Mowbray using whichever route in most convenient (A46, A607, or any of several village routes). When you get to Melton, follow the instructions above.

✦ From Nottingham Follow the A606 to Melton Mowbray. When you get to Melton, follow the instructions above.

✦ From Stamford follow the A606 to Oakham. When you get to Oakham, follow the instructions above. Or follow the A1 to Stretton, then turn onto the B668 through Greetham to Cottesmore. Pass through the village of Cottesmore until you find a signpost directing you towards Ashwell and Whissendine. Follow the road through Ashwell and Whissendine and turn right onto Stapleford Road in Whissendine when you find a sign directing you to Stapleford.

✦ From Bourne follow the A151 towards Colsterworth, then the B676 through Buckminster and Saxby, and turn left when you see a signpost for Stapleford.

✦ From Market Harborough follow the B664 through Medbourne to Uppingham, then join the A6003 to Oakham. When you get to Oakham, follow the instructions above.

✦ From Loughborough follow the A60 to Cotes Mill, then find the B676 to Burton on the Wolds. Pass under the Fosse Way at Six Hills and then turn right onto the A6006 at Shoby Crossroads. Follow the A6006 into Melton Mowbray then follow the directions above.

By train: The nearest stations are Melton Mowbray or Grantham; from there you can use a taxi to the venue.

By air: The nearest airport is East Midlands Airport.

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