Our Story
Formerly known as Catthorpe Manor Estate, Catthorpe Towers has proudly operated since October 2023, continuing the rich legacy of this magnificent Edwardian manor set in the heart of the Midlands. Originally built as a stately home surrounded by 26 acres of woodland gardens, the estate has evolved into a vibrant venue blending historic charm with modern amenities.
We specialise in managing the estate and hosting a wide range of private and public events—from elegant weddings and corporate conferences to community festivals and family celebrations. Beyond venue hire, we also organise events ourselves, ensuring seamless delivery and unforgettable experiences.
Our dedicated team is passionate about hospitality and event management, bringing professionalism, creativity, and a personal touch to every occasion. Together, we maintain the estate’s beauty and heritage while providing flexible, high-quality facilities.
Services we offer include:
- Venue hire across beautifully restored event spaces
- On-site bar and catering with bespoke menus
- Residential houses and flats around the estate for comfortable stays
- Full event planning and coordination support
At Catthorpe Towers, tradition meets innovation, creating the perfect setting for your special moments.
A little bit of history
Catthorpe Manor, nestled in the Leicestershire countryside, has a history that spans centuries.
Beginning as a small English village and eventually becoming a cultural home for Latvians in exile.
Early Years (1500s–1700s): A Village and a Family Estate
In 1564, Catthorpe was a quiet village of just 15 families. By the early 1600s, wealthy landowners began acquiring and consolidating the area. In 1630, Thomas Calcot purchased the manor, later making peace with other landowners to claim full ownership.
By the 1700s, the Caldecott family took over and passed the manor down through generations. It was a working estate with farmland, livestock, and a small number of workers. One owner, a clergyman, had a large operation with horses, cows, sheep, and even his own chapel.
1800s: Growth and Change
During the 19th century, Catthorpe Manor changed hands several times, including owners like Jacob Turner and Abraham Turner. The estate expanded with new buildings, including Manor Hall and later Catthorpe Towers. The small village grew to around 159 residents and became known for its calm rural charm.
Later in the century, the Cross family took over. James Percival Cross invested in restoring the local church, installing a grand organ, and maintaining village traditions. His son, Captain James Lesley Cross, rebuilt the manor after a fire and constructed a large new home in 1925, known as St. John’s House.
1950s–1970s: Modern Pressures and a Controversial Plan
After Captain Cross died in 1955, the manor was sold to businessman Paul Hyde Thompson, who raised champion dairy cows. But when noisy motorways (the M1 and M6) were built nearby, he sold the estate in 1971 to a developer called WebCo.
WebCo had big plans — to build a new town of 14,000 people on the estate's 800 acres. Locals, farmers, and surrounding villages were outraged. They feared losing their rural way of life, and protests spread across three counties. A government inquiry in 1974 rejected the development, citing the need to protect farmland and local communities. After their failed plans, WebCo began selling off land and buildings.
1975: A New Chapter — Latvian Ownership
At the general meeting of the Latvian Welfare Fund on 6-7 March 1971, a proposal was made by the Bedford branch that a country property should be acquired where larger gatherings and events could be held and provide a permanent home for older people. The proposal was warmly welcomed, and a committee formed to take this forward. Eventually, Catthorpe Manor was found at a price of £124,000, located in the East Midlands, and easily accessible from many other areas of the country (30 km from Leicester, 20 from Coventry, 8 from Rugby, 130 from London). Contracts were signed on 29 May 1976 and Ādolfs Sīlis was appointed as the first manager. The main house, built in 1925, consisted of 3 floors and 30 rooms that were immediately habitable. At the other end of the gardens were 3 other houses. Volunteers from all DVF branches came to help with redecorating and furnishing. A club (bar) and function room was created in the former stables, additional residential areas in the former garages. On the 29 May 1976 the celebratory inauguration of Straumēni took place. It proved very popular and at the annual midsummer festivities (St John's Day - the most Latvian of festivals) up to 1800 people have been able to take part on “their own” property.
The management of “Straumēni” was extremely successful - loans were paid off and savings made for future needs. In 1981 “Straumēni” was registered as an old people’s home which paved the way for added subsidies from the government. In 1983, an orchard was planted, improved parking for cars arranged, a field was cleared to make a fish pond, a play area for children was created, sports equipment was acquired. A building was devoted to the infirm, with single and double rooms, office, kitchen, and facilities for treating the sick. The function room was enlarged with a new adjoining room that together with the bar could accommodate up to 500 people. It was called the Swedish Hall as the funding came from Swedish Latvians.
Beyond the older buildings a field was set aside to build detached bungalows or two-storey houses, for rent or purchase. A new building (the Baltic Lodge) served as another function hall for various purposes, often attracting young people of non-Latvian backgrounds, and a cafe run by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Latvian Welfare Fund. Since 1988, a building with a clock tower has housed the UK Latvian Documentation Centre and Archive, run by Inese Auziņa-Smith.
A book was published in 2000 marking the 25th anniversary of the acquisition of Straumēni, extensively illustrated, describing the history of the manor and its changing use. It had become a significant part of Latvian society both in a cultural sense and in caring for elderly Latvians. Major capital works took place during 2015-2016 to modernise the manor house to ensure it met the standards required for a modern hotel and wedding venue, attracting non-Latvians as well as remaining a meaningful place for Latvians – indeed, their pride and joy.
