Seaham Hall

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Seaham Hall is now a spa Hotel in County Durham. It was once the home of George Henry Robert Charles William Vane-Tempest, 5th Marquess of Londonderry

[edit] History

Seaham Hall was one of the many properties acquired by Charles William Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry through his second marriage to Frances-Anne Vane-Tempest. She was one of the greatest heiress's of the time. She stood to inherit nearly 65,000 acres (260 km²). The family did not spend much time at this residence but used their Irish house - Mount Stewart, which was more impressive. In 1815 the poet Lord Byron married Anne Isabella Milbanke at Seaham Hall.

The Londonderrys developed one of the County Durham estates into what is now the modern harbour town of Seaham. This town was designed to rival nearby Sunderland.

The house was named after this town. The house is now no longer in the family's hands as it was sold but is now a Health Spa housed in the same building.