Thornton Hall was built in the 1870's by Thomas Smith who built the Red Cow Hotel. On his death the property passed to his son Sydney Smith. The property was owned by Henry Lack from about 1910, and was used as a dairy. In 1938, the whole site, including the house, was taken over by the Royal Army Engineers Depot. In 1925 part of the property was leased as a speedway. The area was also referred to as Belmore Park
