In 1953 the Queen was crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher, who was born at Higham Hall, Higham on the Hill about five miles from Nuneaton. Whilst Higham Hall itself was built in 1901/02, the manor of Higham was held by the Fisher family from 1790 until about 1950. The present building was constructed by Harry Quick, replacing an earlier building. It is red brick with sand stone dressings and plain tiled roof. Key features are the prominent triple and quadruple ridge stacks. It was built for Mr C H Morris, a pit owner, although subsequently it was used during the late 20s and early 30s as a preparatory school. It is now in private ownership. Between the Hall and Main Street is a group of associated former stable buildings, now converted into residential use. Its listing details are as follows:
Listing Text SP 39 NE HIGHAM-ON-THE-HILL BARR LANE
9/16 Higham Hall. Grade II
Country House. 1900-2 by Harry Quick for C.H. Morris. Red brick with sand stone dressings and plain tile roofs. Brick triple and quadruple ridge stacks to left and right of centre and at left end. South front: 2 storeys with continuous drip mould over ground floor, and bracketed gutter at eaves level. Irregular fenestration: 4 windows to ground floor and 7 to first floor, all mullioned and transomed casements with ovolo-mouldings and square lead lattice upper lights. Gabled slight projections to left and to right of centre with gabled semi-dormer to right. 2-storey canted bay window on right hand projection and two further bays to left, that at extreme left square, and one to right. Small entrance to right of extreme left bay. Entrance bay: 2 storeys with 3 in central square tower with crenellated cornice. 3 window front: ovolo-moulded transomed and mullioned windows. Central pointed arched entrance with double order of shafting, before half-glazed double doors with panelled side-lights. Interior: Adam style drawing room. Hall with oak panelling in Jacobean style. Gallery with stair leading up in bay at south end.
Listing NGR: SP3841295361
A census of 1851 shows the Brookes family to be in residence at Higham Hall. This is either an earlier building that stood on the grounds of the current Hall; or possibly a reference to Canterbury House, which was built as a rectory in 1771and was the home of the Fisher family. It is also cited as the birth place of Geoffrey Fisher, the former Archbishop of Canterbury.
30 Mar 1851 Census Higham Hall, Higham on the Hill, Leicestershire
HO107/2082, Folio 394, GSU# 87708
Ann Brookes abt 1782 Birkby, Leicestershire, England Head Annuitant
William Brookes abt 1823 Croft, Leicestershire, England Son Landed Proprietor
Sarah Atkins abt 1796 Hinckley, Leicestershire, England Servant House Maid
Thomas Johnson abt 1821 Haughton, Leicestershire, England Servant House Servant
Mary Frost abt 1825 Rimcote, Leicestershire, England Servant Cook
Susan Follows abt 1839 Croft, Leicestershire, England Servant Maid
Higham Grange itself was originally built as a hunting lodge for the wealthy American banking family the Pierrepoint Morgans and at one time the stables were home of the famous horse "Spion Kop". It became the Higham Grange Rehabilitation Centre during the Second World War and was used by men of the mining industry. You can view an information booklet on the Grange Rehabilitation Centre from the late 1960s here (PDF - 2MB).
Higham Grange still stands. In the 1990s it became the Hijaz College Islamic University, and has been extensively developed during this time.
Hijaz College Islamic University is a centre of learning which aims to become a centre of excellence that offers Muslims worldwide an opportunity to acquire the highest level of education within the intellectual dynamics and spiritual framework of Islam.
"A balanced curriculum, a well structured working day, a family atmosphere, committed staff and supportive lessons for both slow and fast students have all contributed to make Hijaz College a leading Institution in the field of education. Whilst we have a system of Ta'leem (learning), we also recognise the importance of 'Tarbiyya' (character building) and the seamless integration of these structures. We aim to deliver to our communities Islamic Scholars with a richness of knowledge in both Deen & Dunya, prepared for the challenges of the modern world. With your Duas and support, we have already been successful and will strive to continue in this success, insha Allah"
Chief Executive
Shaykh Tauqir Ishaq
BSc ACGI MSc Dip IC MICE CEng. Member of the Institute of Chartered Civil Engineers.
© Hijaz College Islamic University Interactive
There is a comprehensive website for Hijaz College at: www.hijazcollege.com
Listing Text SP 39 NE HIGHAM-ON-THE-HILL BARR LANE
9/16 Higham Hall. Grade II
Country House. 1900-2 by Harry Quick for C.H. Morris. Red brick with sand stone dressings and plain tile roofs. Brick triple and quadruple ridge stacks to left and right of centre and at left end. South front: 2 storeys with continuous drip mould over ground floor, and bracketed gutter at eaves level. Irregular fenestration: 4 windows to ground floor and 7 to first floor, all mullioned and transomed casements with ovolo-mouldings and square lead lattice upper lights. Gabled slight projections to left and to right of centre with gabled semi-dormer to right. 2-storey canted bay window on right hand projection and two further bays to left, that at extreme left square, and one to right. Small entrance to right of extreme left bay. Entrance bay: 2 storeys with 3 in central square tower with crenellated cornice. 3 window front: ovolo-moulded transomed and mullioned windows. Central pointed arched entrance with double order of shafting, before half-glazed double doors with panelled side-lights. Interior: Adam style drawing room. Hall with oak panelling in Jacobean style. Gallery with stair leading up in bay at south end.
Listing NGR: SP3841295361
A census of 1851 shows the Brookes family to be in residence at Higham Hall. This is either an earlier building that stood on the grounds of the current Hall; or possibly a reference to Canterbury House, which was built as a rectory in 1771and was the home of the Fisher family. It is also cited as the birth place of Geoffrey Fisher, the former Archbishop of Canterbury.
30 Mar 1851 Census Higham Hall, Higham on the Hill, Leicestershire
HO107/2082, Folio 394, GSU# 87708
Ann Brookes abt 1782 Birkby, Leicestershire, England Head Annuitant
William Brookes abt 1823 Croft, Leicestershire, England Son Landed Proprietor
Sarah Atkins abt 1796 Hinckley, Leicestershire, England Servant House Maid
Thomas Johnson abt 1821 Haughton, Leicestershire, England Servant House Servant
Mary Frost abt 1825 Rimcote, Leicestershire, England Servant Cook
Susan Follows abt 1839 Croft, Leicestershire, England Servant Maid
Higham Grange itself was originally built as a hunting lodge for the wealthy American banking family the Pierrepoint Morgans and at one time the stables were home of the famous horse "Spion Kop". It became the Higham Grange Rehabilitation Centre during the Second World War and was used by men of the mining industry. You can view an information booklet on the Grange Rehabilitation Centre from the late 1960s here (PDF - 2MB).
Higham Grange still stands. In the 1990s it became the Hijaz College Islamic University, and has been extensively developed during this time.
Hijaz College Islamic University is a centre of learning which aims to become a centre of excellence that offers Muslims worldwide an opportunity to acquire the highest level of education within the intellectual dynamics and spiritual framework of Islam.
"A balanced curriculum, a well structured working day, a family atmosphere, committed staff and supportive lessons for both slow and fast students have all contributed to make Hijaz College a leading Institution in the field of education. Whilst we have a system of Ta'leem (learning), we also recognise the importance of 'Tarbiyya' (character building) and the seamless integration of these structures. We aim to deliver to our communities Islamic Scholars with a richness of knowledge in both Deen & Dunya, prepared for the challenges of the modern world. With your Duas and support, we have already been successful and will strive to continue in this success, insha Allah"
Chief Executive
Shaykh Tauqir Ishaq
BSc ACGI MSc Dip IC MICE CEng. Member of the Institute of Chartered Civil Engineers.
© Hijaz College Islamic University Interactive
There is a comprehensive website for Hijaz College at: www.hijazcollege.com