Nestled in Boars Hill, in the picturesque outskirts of Oxford, England, Foxcombe Hall stands proudly amidst undulating woodland and lush meadows, with a rich history spanning over a century. Its origins date back to the late 19th century, starting as a modest red-brick cottage and gradually expanding into a grand "castle-like" countryside mansion. Later, it served as an educational venue for Ripon Hall and the Open University in Oxford. After numerous periods of restoration and transformation, and now under the leadership of Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS), this legendary manor is embarking on a new stage of development.
PHBS UK Campus
Early Period (1887-1893) :
A "Picturesque" Red-Brick Cottage
The earliest residence on the site, described by Pevsner and Bradley (Buildings of England: Berkshire 2010, 177) as ‘a picturesque little cottage residence’ in red brick, was designed by H W Moore of Oxford for the President of Trinity College, the Rev Henry Woods and his wife, Margaret, a writer and critic, in 1887-8.
At that time, the Foxcombe area was still dominated by woodland and vast fields. Due to its elevated position, it offered a commanding view of Oxford and its surroundings, which attracted scholars, writers, and other intellectuals to reside or vacation there from a very early stage. H.W. Moore's design made full use of the advantageous terrain, creating a family home that combined natural beauty with artistic style for the residents.
Early house by HW Moore
Magnificent Transformation (1893-1928):
The Grand Expansion under Earl Berkeley
Earl Berkeley purchased the house at Foxcombe, and in 1901, and converted the building known as the Old Dairy into a small laboratory where he began his work on Osmotic Pressures. The building consists of one and a half storeys with a large subterranean basement which would have been an unusual plan form for a Dairy if in fact it ever was one. Leaving that aside the map evidence suggests that it could have been in use as a dairy only for a short period as the OS plan of 1899 shows no other building on that site.
1902 Plans by Ernest George and Yates
Foxcombe/Ripon Hall on Boars Hill
In 1902, designs for a new extension by Ernest George and Alfred Yeates were prepared and illustrated in The Builder. The full extent of George and Yeates’s masterplan is seen in the valuation office plans of 1913 which show Moore’s 1887 house transformed into a capacious country house with pretensions to be a castle arrived at through a tree lined avenue to the south east leading to the formal entrance porte cochere.
The interior decoration of the Great Hall during the time of Earl Berkeley
The new house was designed to impress guests and visitors, and to convey the wealth, lineage and social status of the Berkeley Family. Approached from the east, the porte cochere led into a first floor gallery that overlooks the west end of a Grand Hall. The hall’s design was based on a traditional design inspired by the real Berkeley Castle, with a timber trussed roof, wainscoting, clerestory glasses and a central stone fireplace with the Berkeley Crest above.
A new servants quarter to the west was added and a new lodge built as stables with servant quarters above. Two further lodges were constructed, one at the south-east entrance and the other at the north. The lodges are some of the first buildings with active frontages onto Berkeley Road. Several ancillary buildings possibly stables or agricultural buildings within the grounds have been added over time.
The southern front of the house was given a formal terrace with an ornamental, Italian-inspired sunken garden falling away rapidly to the south where it meanders into woodland. Paths and trails wind their way around the garden. Some of the additions made in this period are discernible by common motifs for instance where they are adorned with either the Berkeley Crest, or the letter B. Inside the door surrounds are also similarly embellished.
Academic Transition (1934-1976):
Ripon Hall and Rebuilding After the Fire
By 1934, Foxcombe Hall changed hands once again and became the theological training college for Ripon Hall. Initially the conversion to Ripon Hall required very few alterations. The Theological College continued to use the house for residential accommodation and many of the spaces such as the Dining Hall retained their original function. The Billiard Room was used as a Chapel and the Old Dairy converted to a hostel.
Foxcombe Hall before its expansion, prior to the fire
According to Pevsner, following a fire in 1935, most of the original house was remodelled and encased in Bladon Rubble limestone by Sir Albert Richardson with Collyweston stone tiled roofs. The fire provided the opportunity to provide nine additional bedrooms within the attic for residential students and staff. The changes resulted in the remodelling of the roof in a mansard arrangement, and the simplification of the southern elevation. Whilst Pevsner describes the work as bland, the roof sits comfortably with the rest of the southern elevation and the overall effect is far from bland.
In 1964, the opening of a new extension to Ripon Hall was celebrated. Constructed by contractors FR Hipperson and designed by architects Myles and Deirdre Dove, the extension won the prestigious (national) Civic Trust Award for environmental design. The extension provided valuable additional teaching space, a Library, Lecture Room, two staff flatlets and seven bed sitting rooms for students. The ground floor has a facing of grey brick and above that are slates of a darker grey designed to blend in with the original tower. At the same time there was a service of rededication of the Chapel, which was extended by the addition of an apse and refurnished.
Extension by Miles and Deirdre Dove
During the Ripon Hall period, Building 3 served as a hotel
Oxfordshire Blue Plaque Board is still posted on the side gate of the campus
As a theological college, Foxcombe Hall served as a serene place for numerous clergy and scholars to engage in focused studies. The gardens and woodland paths were meticulously maintained and preserved during Ripon Hall's daily operations, fostering an overall atmosphere of tranquility and introspection. On May 27, 2004, as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Ripon Hall, Robert Jeffery, who had served as Sub-Dean of Christ Church and previously as Dean of Worcester, unveiled an Oxfordshire Blue Plaque at Foxcombe Hall, the former site of Ripon Hall. This plaque commemorates the lasting impact of the college on Oxfordshire and beyond.
Practical Transformation (1976-2017):
The Period of the Open University
The Open University purchased Ripon Hall in 1976. In 1995 they engaged Peter Haddon and Partners to extend the 1964 extension by Myles and Deirdre Dove. Their original plan was for alterations and extension to the ground floor wing and a two-storey extension to the west but this was refused, so in 1996, a revised application with a single storey extension to the west was approved. They carried out several minor alterations to the Hall. The Open University was rarely open to the public and as a result many of the alterations made were utilitarian alterations to some of the good early interiors.
The parking lot during the Open University period
A New Era (2017-Present):
PHBS's Renovation Initiatives
In 2017, PHBS officially acquired Foxcombe Hall, transforming it into a new platform for international academics and research. PHBS invited professional architectural and heritage conservation teams, including renowned firms like MICA, along with expert groups familiar with the restoration of historic buildings in the UK, to jointly develop a renovation plan. For a property with both architectural and cultural value, the restoration work required a balance between preserving historical essence and meeting modern functional needs. The maintenance of historical elements at PHBS UK campus today stands as a testament to this meticulous balance.
Today's PHBS UK Campus
The preservation of historical elements: After conducting a thorough investigation of the building's current condition, the team decided to retain the core features from different periods left by Ernest George, Alfred Yeates, and Sir Albert Richardson to the greatest extent, such as stone arches, Gothic towers, exquisite fireplaces, and wooden wainscoting. These designs represent the architectural essence from the late Victorian to Edwardian periods and even more recent times in the UK, serving as significant symbols of Foxcombe Hall's historical value.
The newly constructed Atrium Hall, a glass pavilion, connects Building 1 and Building 4
Upgrading internal functions: PHBS established several teaching and office areas within Foxcombe Hall, providing more modern facilities for international management courses and academic seminars. Considering the protection of original decorations such as indoor wooden panels, carvings, and stained glass, the restoration team aimed to cleverly avoid or integrate these historical elements when adding wiring, network equipment, and security systems, ensuring they remain spectacular in the context of modern higher education.
Gardens and supporting facilities: Gardens and woodland pathways complementing the main building were also included in the restoration scope. The original Italian style was maintained or appropriately improved to enhance space utilization and safety, while drainage, lighting, and accessible systems were optimized to provide faculty and students with comfortable outdoor leisure and teaching spaces.
The vibrant Italian Garden in full bloom of spring
The Aerial view of the campus
Overall coordination of new construction and expansion: When constructing or expanding student dormitories and research spaces, the historical style of Foxcombe Hall was imitated, such as in roof pitches, exterior wall materials, and colors, to avoid abruptness and maintain harmony with the main building. PHBS's vision is to transform Foxcombe Hall into a comprehensive academic campus that combines classical grandeur with modern educational needs, becoming an important base for overseas teaching and research among world-class institutions.
Building 2 was renovated and converted into student dormitories
Looking back on the century-long evolution of Foxcombe Hall, we witness a rich tapestry of art and science, religion and education, tradition and innovation intertwined. From its initial days as a small red-brick cottage to its later transformation into a magnificent private residence meticulously crafted by the Earl of Berkeley, and subsequently into an academic haven during its seminary and open university eras, Foxcombe Hall has served myriad roles in history, captivating and shaping the lives of countless individuals.
The arrival of PHBS has expanded Foxcombe Hall's higher education legacy, revitalizing this historic structure that had remained silent for many years. It is now poised to emerge as a key platform for bridging Chinese and Western cultures and fostering the exchange of contemporary financial and management ideas, all while respecting the UK's tradition of excellence in preserving and repurposing historic buildings.
For those fortunate enough to embark on a visit to Foxcombe Hall, the act of pushing open the heavy wooden door adorned with the "B" emblem, or wandering through the picturesque Italian-style courtyard and terrace, is a cherished moment of personally immersing oneself in the allure of this "century-old academic beacon." Through the dedication and preservation efforts of generations, Foxcombe Hall, this ancient manor, has been revitalized and is steadfastly advancing into a broader horizon under the radiant sunshine of a new era.
References：
2. https://heritagesearch.oxfordshire.gov.uk/images/POX0251513
3. https://www.oxonblueplaques.org.uk/plaques/ripon.html
4. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1437308
