While the Grosvenor family’s ancestry can be traced back almost 1,000 years to when Gilbert le Grosveneur came to England with William the Conqueror in 1066, their connection to Cheshire was established in the 12th Century and it wasn’t until the 1440s when Ralph Grosvenor married Joan, the heiress of Eaton, that the estate became their home.
In the following centuries generations of Grosvenors grew the family’s landholdings, finances and status in the region, in particular through investing in mining in neighbouring North Wales, as well as being conferred with new titles in recognition of their public service, which included military, the judiciary and both local and national government.
The Grosvenors commissioned a significant programme of rebuilding and improvements across the estate in the 19th Century that included new homes, businesses and community amenities such as churches and schools.
It was also a period of growth for Chester that was largely supported by the family, including gifting Grosvenor Park and the Grosvenor Museum to the city.
It was during this time in 1874 that the Dukedom was created and bestowed on Hugh Lupus Grosvenor (1825-1899), previously the third Marquess, one of the Victorian period's great philanthropists.
In addition to public service and philanthropy, the Grosvenors also sought to deliver a lasting economic, social and environmental benefit through their activities.
Farming and agriculture have taken place on the estate for centuries, producing foods as well as tree planting and woodland management, enhancing the environment, providing employment and playing an integral role in the community.
Many of these activities continue today, combining longstanding heritage and values with innovative practices and technologies.
There have been several halls at Eaton over the centuries, from a manor house to a Gothic mansion.
While historic redevelopments reflected the trends of the time, the demolition of the Victorian built Waterhouse Hall was out of necessity after the estate was leased to the War Office over several decades and fell into disrepair.
Eaton Hall was used as a hospital during both World Wars, as the base for the Royal Naval College from 1943 until 1946, after its Dartmouth quarters were bombed, and subsequently an Officer Cadet Training School until 1960.
Today, a modern Eaton Hall remains the family home of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster.
Spanning rural Cheshire and parts of Chester, activities on the estate range from managing and constantly improving properties , including homes, offices, warehouses, farms, community facilities, and schools, producing high-quality foods through an award-winning dairy and arable farm working by the principles of regenerative agriculture and circular farming, to manufacturing sustainably grown British timber.
