Main Hall

The Main Hall was the focus of East Cliff Hall, and was designed to impress. It features an eclectic mix of styles, taking inspiration from Italian courtyards and Japanese aesthetics. This room is divided into two sections: the double-height Hall and a Gallery. The ornamental mosaic fountain was inspired by the Arab Hall in the home of the artist, Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896), which Merton visited before building this house. The stained-glass skylight depicts the arc of the sun and the twelve signs of the zodiac. It is a replica of the original which was destroyed during the East Cliff bombing raid of 7 October 1941. This is the same raid which took down the ceiling of the adjacent Morning Room. At the far end, the Main Hall Gallery was designed to house a billiard table. However, it soon became an extension of the Main Hall, and was filled with paintings, ceramics, sculptures and suits of armour. The inglenook fireplace was replaced with stained glass doors in 1916 to provide access to new Art Galleries. The ceiling is decorated with Japanese mon (family crests) and the pillars are made of scagliola (plaster imitating marble). Artwork currently on display in the Main Hall. Click on an artwork to find out more.