March 31, 2026|Reports

“Country Seats and Sporting Feats” – Dr Margaret Roberts

Over sixty members of Wickham History Society zoomed in on Tuesday 24th February to hear Dr Margaret Roberts talk on the importance of sport in the use and design of country houses and estates. Margaret lives in Cheshire so this was a great example of how useful our two Zoom meetings each year are to bring in speakers we could not have ‘face to face’.

In Wickham we have our own country seat – Rookesbury House. Margaret used examples from Rookesbury to demonstrate the importance of sport, from Mr Parkin, the gamekeeper bringing poachers to book, cricket matches at Rookesbury which involved both the Garniers and the village, and the horse shows at Rookesbury hosted by Arthur Lee MP when he rented the house in the 1900s.

Sport of all types was a hugely important part of life throughout history for country house owners but sport’s role in the layout of country estates and houses has been largely ignored by historians and architects. This not only included building extensive stabling, kennels, tennis courts and fishing lakes but also internally the design of billiard rooms and managing gun rooms and storage of game. Professionals were employed to support sporting activities in a wide range of roles and the surrounding community were drawn in as support staff, participants and spectators.

Margaret also looked at the trials and tribulations of women participating in sport, from the challenges of riding side saddle to playing tennis in long dresses. We were all particularly fascinated by the Victorian mechanical horse, the precursor of the exercise bike, allowing you to go for a trot or a canter in the comfort of your living room while your butler brought you tea and cakes. If you would like to know more go to: https://www.playingpasts.co.uk