Thornely Manor Exterior.
On May 10th 2012, we had the pleasure of once again visiting Beesthorpe Hall aka Thornley Manor. I had been in contact with Colin Matthews, the then owner who told me that Beesthorpe Hall was sold, and this could be the last trip to squeeze out the final bits of knowledge and pictures, before Colin and his family moved out. The Matthews family were the owners during filming in 1985, and this could be the last time we get to find out what happened when ‘The Magnificent Seven’ worked on ‘The Manor’. Many thanks to Colin Matthews previous owner of Beesthorpe Hall Copyright: The following images, articles and text are copyright awpet.com.Do you have something to add?
If you have something to add, whether it be pictures, a magazine interview or something else, we would love to have it
on the Fansite! Please use the Contact link above in the navigation bar and Email us.
Auf Wiedersehen, Pet
A team of builders employed by the production company, began work on Beesthorpe Hall in late 1984, and spent several months
turning this beautiful house into a run down old Victorian country house. There were many ways to turn this lived in family home
into a the run down Thornley Manor as we see it on screen. The front gardens were cordoned off and left to grow, false bricks
were stuck all over the front of the property, and a false Victorian Tower was added to the rear of the property. Many interior
rooms were used for filming including the kitchen, which was fully emptied, with a false wall built to hide the existing Aga.
Wallpaper was added to walls, and made to peel to give it that aging look. Doors were also removed and older looking added to
add to the feel of it being run down and old.
The false Victorian tower was one of the first jobs done of Beesthorpe Hall. It had to be on the building for several weeks, to try
and make it look weathered, and not a brand new addition. The base of the tower was simply a Scaffolding Structure covered in
bricks. The tower was fixed to the Hall, and holes from the work, still remain today. Below is a picture of the Victorian Tower
finished and looking weathered prior to filming. You can also see the gardens being overgrown and generally looking run down.
The owners were basically sworn to secrecy, and not allowed to mention filming of the show, to keep away the press and fans of
the show. Many of their friends and neighbors did ask why they weren’t cutting their lawns.
Beesthorpe Hall early 1985.
Thornely Manor on-screen 4th April 1986
There were many other additions and changes that the crew made, this included removing and adding new doors. Remember the
scene when Ally Fraser visits with Hallwood for the first time and ventures around the back? Simply a clever addition, and you can
see the door made and ready to be hung in the kitchen. It’s hard to believe that the door we see Ally trying in ‘A Law For The Rich’ is
simply a false edition. The production team did a fantastic job on turning Beesthorpe Hall in Thornely Manor.
Thornely Manor Exterior.
On May 10th 2012, I had the pleasure of once again visiting Beesthorpe Hall aka Thornley Manor. I had been in contact with Colin Matthews, the then owner who told me that Beesthorpe Hall was sold, and this could be the last trip to squeeze out the final bits of knowledge and pictures, before Colin and his family moved out. The Matthews family were the owners during filming in 1985, and this could be the last time we get to find out what happened when ‘The Magnificent Seven’ worked on ‘The Manor’. Many thanks to Colin Matthews previous owner of Beesthorpe Hall Copyright: The following images, articles and text are copyright awpet.com.
A team of builders employed by the production
company, began work on Beesthorpe Hall in late 1984,
and spent several months turning this beautiful house
into a run down old Victorian country house. There
were many ways to turn this lived in family home into a
the run down Thornley Manor as we see it on screen.
The front gardens were cordoned off and left to grow,
false bricks were stuck all over the front of the
property, and a false Victorian Tower was added to the
rear of the property. Many interior rooms were used
for filming including the kitchen, which was fully
emptied, with a false wall built to hide the existing Aga.
Wallpaper was added to walls, and made to peel to give
it that aging look. Doors were also removed and older
looking added to add to the feel of it being run down
and old.
The false Victorian tower was one of the first jobs done
of Beesthorpe Hall. It had to be on the building for
several weeks, to try and make it look weathered, and
not a brand new addition. The base of the tower was
simply a Scaffolding Structure covered in bricks. The
tower was fixed to the Hall, and holes from the work,
still remain today. Below is a picture of the Victorian
Tower finished and looking weathered prior to filming.
You can also see the gardens being overgrown and
generally looking run down. The owners were basically
sworn to secrecy, and not allowed to mention filming of
the show, to keep away the press and fans of the show.
Many of their friends and neighbors did ask why they
weren’t cutting their lawns.
of Beesthorpe Hall. It had to be on the building for
several weeks, to try and make it look weathered, and
not a brand new addition. The base of the tower was
simply a Scaffolding Structure covered in bricks. The
tower was fixed to the Hall, and holes from the work,
still remain today. Below is a picture of the Victorian
Tower finished and looking weathered prior to filming.
You can also see the gardens being overgrown and
generally looking run down. The owners were basically
sworn to secrecy, and not allowed to mention filming of
the show, to keep away the press and fans of the show.
Many of their friends and neighbors did ask why they
weren’t cutting their lawns.
Beesthorpe Hall early 1985.
Thornely Manor on TV, 04/04/86
There were many other additions and changes that the
crew made, this included removing and adding new
doors. Remember the scene when Ally Fraser visits with
Hallwood for the first time and ventures around the
back? Simply a clever addition, and you can see the
door made and ready to be hung in the kitchen. It’s
hard to believe that the door we see Ally trying in ‘A Law
For The Rich’ is simply a false edition. The production
team did a fantastic job on turning Beesthorpe Hall in
Thornely Manor.
crew made, this included removing and adding new
doors. Remember the scene when Ally Fraser visits with
Hallwood for the first time and ventures around the
back? Simply a clever addition, and you can see the
door made and ready to be hung in the kitchen. It’s
hard to believe that the door we see Ally trying in ‘A Law
For The Rich’ is simply a false edition. The production
team did a fantastic job on turning Beesthorpe Hall in
Thornely Manor.
Do you have something to add?
If you have something to add, whether it be pictures, a
magazine interview or something else, we would love to
have it on the Fansite! Please use the Contact link above in
the navigation bar and Email us.
Auf Wiedersehen, Pet
