Walcot as a place-name is thought to be Saxon in origin, derived from Wald - a forest, and Cote - a dwelling place. This aptly describes the property which is surrounded by a vast amphitheatre of hills and is set on the edge of the Clun forest.

Walcot Hall dates back to Tudor times, the original Elizabethan facade being gabled. Lord Clive of India bought the estate in 1763 from Charles Walcot who was persuaded into this sale by his ignoble and extravagant uncle - Sir Francis "Hellfire" Dashwood.

In 1763, Lord Clive commissioned Sir William Chambers, leading architect of the time and subsequently drawing master to the Prince of Wales, to redesign the house. Although it has been slightly reduced in size to suit modern requirements, its aspect is as intended by Chambers - a perfect Georgian elevation, with parapet walls and sash windows, accompanied by a stable block with twin bell towers.

From Clive's early years as a clerk at £5 per year in India he had grown fabulously wealthy, probably the wealthiest man in the Kingdom. There is every reason to believe that the happiest days of his tempestuous life were spent at Walcot, with its uniquely peaceful and beautiful setting.

On Clive's death the Hall and Estate - then some 80,000 acres - passed to his son Edward, who was created Earl of Powis in 1803. He lived 65 years in the house and carried out further additions including a Ballroom. This he built to display an immense carpet presented to him when he was governor of Calcutta, and which was sold in the dispersal sale in 1929.

Edward was much interested in, and one of the greatest authorities on, gardening and arboriculture, and some 20 acres of the slopes behind the house have since been developed into an Arboretum with winding walks and magnificent specimen trees.

Walcot Hall remained in the Clive family for 170 years, during which time large sums of money were spent on maintaining and improving the house and grounds. A mile-long lake, enlarged by Napoleonic French prisoners of war, spans the view from the Hall.

In 1929 the Powis family, who had alternated their residence during the year between Walcot and Powis Castle, decided to put Walcot up for sale or demolition. Walcot escaped the latter, thanks to its purchase by Mr. Stevens of Judge Enamel Ware, Brierly Hill. He employed a young architect, Bertram Butler of Birmingham, to modernise the house, at the same time restoring it to its essential Georgian character by removing many of the additions that had accrued over the years.

Walcot became home to Stevens' two sons, Ronald and Noel, who established one of the greatest bird sanctuaries in the country, with an outstanding collection of wild fowl, surrounded by a 7 mile long, 6' high fox-proof fence. With the onset of war in 1939, and the occupation of the house by the army, much of the bird collection was dispersed to Slimbridge, and no doubt some stragglers found their way onto the officers' table. The brothers decided to sell in 1956 to pursue their individual interests - Ronald's book Laggard remains a classic of Falconry to this day.