Keeping Up With The Joneses Part 3 and a Half
Tuesday, 24th April 2007 by James Turnbull
Astute readers will point out that we've already had part four of the famous series "Keeping up with the Joneses", but I'm going back to trampolines for the missing part - get ready for the stupidly titled Keeping Up With The Joneses Part 3 and a half!
First, some history: set in the massive 45 km² private gardens, Eaton Hall has been home to the Grosvenor family since the 15th century and in this time has served as a War hospital twice and had its fair share of being demolished and then re-built.
In 1874 Queen Victoria created the title "The Duke of Westminster" for Eaton Halls owner, Hugh Grosvenor who, thanks to inherited property in central London, was the richest man in Britain.
These days the Duke title is held by Gerald Grosvenor, who also previously held the "Richest" title but in recent years has slipped to No. 5. However, the Duke has managed to cling onto the title of Richest Man in Britain (who was born in Britain).
Of course, even billionaires have to keep up with the Joneses, and the Duke of Westminster is no exception; outside the back of the stately home there is a large blue trampoline, just like those found throughout the rest of the UK!
Don't forget that he's rich though, the Duke has 2 trampolines!
The full 2007 rich list will be published this Sunday.
Thanks: Mrb
Finally….my house is featured on GSS!!
🙂
GREAT… !!!
I wonder if it is possible to find in such a big property any coincidence with other previous posts (for example https://www.googlesightseeing.com/2007/03/23/nature-calls/ )
Hey, you missed the 3rd trampoline just outside the main gate behind the “caretakers” house. So I guess the children can play there when they are visting ;-). But who really cares about the trampolines, when you can ride your own train. Check out the train shed and tracks just to the north of the main house. Talk about keeping up with the Joneses, how many people can claim their own Railroad?
Wow… I guess my parents didn’t love me because I didn’t have a trampoline or a my very own train growing up 🙂
But then if I had that much money I would probably have a train, for the kids of course… maybe not so many trampolines though…
This area
to the north of the house where the rail track runs through used to be his own private 9 hole golf course, he seems to have removed that for some reason, I remember going along the road in front of the house on a sponsored walk when I was a cub scout, mid 1970’s I think.
I’m surprised Gerry (me and the duke are old mates) has not round to getting rid of the old airfield (laid out during the war perhaps?)
https://www.googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=&c=&t=k&hl=en&ll=53.132148,-2.892323&z=15
It seems unusual that the area hasnt been landscaped seeing it is so near to the ‘big house’. I dont think the duke lands his plane there so there seems no need for a big runway in the middle of his estate. Or does there………?
On other matters A-maze-ing
https://www.googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=&c=&t=k&hl=en&ll=53.137418,-2.888023&z=19
What I liked bast were the sheep (I presume) neatly arranged in the shade of the formal gardens here: https://www.googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=&c=&t=k&hl=en&ll=53.1388,-2.882385&z=19
Well Ben, you’ve gotta keep all that grass cut somehow!
I really don’t think they are trampolines. In fact, i’m almost positive they are simply water fountains.
Here’s the 3rd trampoline Jeff talked about: https://www.googlesightseeing.com/maps?p=&c=&t=k&hl=en&ll=53.140629,-2.892459&z=19
And here’s a poster showing the train
http://www.eeo.co.uk/grosvenor_estate/Steam.pdf
@Nir: Sorry, I think you’re wrong! This older Multimap photo shows there is no fountain there. Plus, you can see the shadow cast by the trampoline.