The infamous gangster Ronnie and Reggie Kray, otherwise known as The Kray Twins, are known for their gangster lifestyle and their various criminal endeavours that can be seen in pop culture in books, TV and film. But, did you know they have a fondness for the the quieter life taking many visits up North to Cumbria?
That’s right! The gruesome twosome are reported to have taken many a trip to Kirklinton Hall in Kirklinton, just north of Carlisle. The Grade II-listed building, originally built in 1660 by the Appleby family, and further extended in 1875.
It’s worn may hats over the years going from an impressive country house, to an RAF base, school, hotel, and a nightclub, and then a casino and gangsters’ gambling den before gambling law changes forced it to close.
It was the 1960s when it became The Borders Club, and was frequented by gangsters from London. The then owner Christopher Boyle spoke to The Telegraph back in 2015 saying: “It was slightly James Bond, very raffish. The Krays would hole up here when things got a bit hot in London. Local farmers would gamble away their lands in a single night,”
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It was described as having exotic dancers on the stairs with big bands playing to guests on a glass-floored ballroom. Heading upstairs you’d find a gaming room and brothel. Change in the gaming laws saw all this disappear and the property was once again left.
The building then fell fowl to a fire in the 1970s that left the interior badly damaged with the roof and insde walls demolished also. It’s home to 12 acres of Gardens and Grounds, including a walled working kitchen garden.
It used mostly for weddings and events these days and is only open durin gthe weekly market on Thursday between 10am to 4pm.
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Feature Image Credit: Kray twins. (2022, November 6). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kray_twins
