Kelmarsh Hall was built between 1728 and 1732 to a James Gibbs design for William Hanbury. The Hanburys remained in the Palladian house until 1865 when it was sold to Mr R C Naylor, a wealthy banker from Liverpool and a keen sportsman. In 1902 Mr G G Lancaster bought the house and estate introducing the British White cattle whose descendants still graze the parkland. On his death the estate passed on to his younger son C G Lancaster. In the 1970's after a distinguished career as a soldier, industrialist and polititian, Colonel C G Lancaster set about placing the Hall and most of the estate in perpetuity to a trust. He died in 1977, leaving the property and the blueprint for the trust to his sister Miss C V Lancaster, Miss Lancaster pursued her brother's wish and the Kelmarsh Trust was established in 1982. On her death in 1996 the whole estate passed to the trust.