Description:Members of the Brocklehurst family and relatives at Swythamley Hall. From left to right: Lady Gwladys Brocklehurst (Sir Philip Brocklehurst's wife); Lady Helen Brocklehurst (Courtney Brocklehurst's wife and Sir Philip's sister-in-law); Nina Colmore (Gwladys's sister); Baron Frans van Haeften (Mabel's husband); Lady Annie Brocklehurst (Sir Philip's mother); Mabel van Haeften (Sir Philip's sister); Harry Colmore (Nina's husband). The car is possibly a Daimler.
Swythamley Hall was largely built in the early 19th century and extensively enlarged by Philip Brocklehurst in 1897. A major fire in 1813 had destroyed the 17th century part of the hall and some of the more recently built additions.
The site was the site of a mediaeval hunting lodge and was later a monastic grange belonging to Dieulacres Abbey. After the Dissolution the Swythamley Estate was acquired by William Trafford and remained with that family until Edward Trafford Nicholls sold it to John Brocklehurst in 1832. After the death of Philip Brocklehurst in 1975 the estate was sold by his heir and great nephew John van Haeften. The hall and parkland was purchased by the World Government for the Age of Enlightenment, followers of Maharishi Manesh Yogi, and became the Maharashi International College. In 1987 it was sold and the hall, stables and chapel were converted into residences.