Articles written by the late Peter Hobbs of Old St. Albans Court in Nonington

Sadly, Peter Hobbs passed away in the early hours of Monday, 10th March, 2025. Peter was a published local historian with a great interest in the history of Old St. Albans House and its associated estate in Nonington. He was a great friend and supporter of this website and Peter’s invaluable knowledge, advice and encouragement will be greatly missed.

Peter bought Old St. Albans Court House in Nonington in the 1990’s and spent a lot of time and effort restoring the house. Extensive archaeological excavations were undertaken in conjunction with the Dover Archaeological Group [DAG] in and around the house to research and establish its origins and architectural history.
As well as the Old St. Albans House Peter also owned adjoining land known locally as “The Ruins”, the location of once substantial ruins that were long held to be the those of a chapel connected to the Convent and Abbey of St. Albans after which the house and estate were named. From the 1990’s onwards Peter organised and financed the still ongoing archaeological exploration of “The Ruins” site by DAG which over the years revealed that the ruins were in fact the remains of a series of manor houses connected to the ancient Manor of Esole.