Travel Agency Pioneer: Thomas Cook and the Family Residence Still Owned Today
In the heart of Norfolk, England, lies Sennowe Park, a grand Edwardian country house that serves as a captivating testament to the opulence and aspirations of the early 20th century. Extensively remodelled starting in 1905 by architect George Skipper for Thomas Albert Cook, the grandson of Thomas Cook Snr, the founder of the renowned travel agency, Thomas Cook & Son.
The estate's history can be traced back to the late 18th century, with the core of the current house being built around 1791-92 by Thomas Wodehouse. However, under Cook's ownership during the Edwardian era, Sennowe Park underwent a significant transformation from its Georgian origins to a grand home reflecting late-17th-century stylistic influences associated with Sir Christopher Wren.
The house boasts an eclectic and opulent interior, with a bowed, plasterwork ceiling and a fireplace inscribed with the phrase "this is your home; seek no other" in the library. The dining room features a huge chimneypiece in the manner of Grinling Gibbons, adorned with the inscription "They say - what say they?" on the overmantel. The corridors connecting the rooms are adorned with paintings of hunting, shooting, and fishing scenes, signed by W. J. Neatby and dated December 1908.
The visitor's tour includes the winter garden, dominated by a bronze nude sculpture by Henry Fehr, the library, the drawing room, the saloon, and the dining room. The gardens, designed by Skipper and expertly planted by Williams and Sons of Waltham Cross, Essex, and Mornement and Ray of East Harling, Norfolk, include a rose garden, scented garden, water garden, parterres, tennis lawn, and croquet lawn.
Sennowe Park's significance extends beyond its architectural splendour and preservation. It embodies the era's fascination with historicist styles combined with the latest comforts and design innovations. Features such as a panoramic 17-bay façade, a large carriage porch, and interiors furnished primarily with fashionable department-store pieces demonstrate the wealth and social standing of the Cook family, as well as broader trends in Edwardian country house design and lifestyle.
The story of Sennowe Park is inextricably linked to the Cook family, particularly Thomas Cook Snr. Born in 1808 into a poor and devout non-conformist household in Melbourne, Derbyshire, Cook's life took an extraordinary turn when he signed the Pledge, committing to abstain from alcohol, in 1836. This decision set him on a path to fame, culminating in the organization of a trip from Leicester to Loughborough for 500 members of the temperance movement by train on July 5, 1841, which marked the launch of his travel business.
Thomas Cook Snr's travel business grew rapidly, encompassing trips to the British Isles, the Continent, America, the Holy Land, and Egypt. His son, John Cook, turned the travel agency into a massively remunerative commercial operation, democratizing travel and changing the way people viewed the world. Despite disagreements between Thomas Cook Snr and John, the latter took control of the business in 1878.
In conclusion, Sennowe Park stands as a remarkable monument to the Cook family's commercial success and the Edwardian era's tastes for grand country living. It offers a unique glimpse into the aspirations, luxurious lifestyle, and architectural trends of the period, making it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and architecture aficionados alike.
The expansive gardens of Sennowe Park, designed by George Skipper and carefully tended by Williams and Sons of Waltham Cross, Essex, and Mornement and Ray of East Harling, Norfolk, are a testament to the home-and-garden aesthetics of the Edwardian era. The rose garden, scented garden, water garden, parterres, tennis lawn, and croquet lawn showcase the elegant blend of historicist styles with the latest design innovations, mirroring the lifestyle of the Cook family during this period.
In the interior of Sennowe Park, the library and dining room reflect the opulence and lifestyle of the Cook family, with ornate fireplaces, plasterwork ceilings, and intricate inscriptions that echo the grandeur of the house's exterior architecture, making it a captivating display of the home-and-garden and lifestyle ideals of the Edwardian era.
