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Forty Hall was built for Sir Nicholas Rainton (1569-1646). The house was completed in 1632/3 when Sir Nicholas and his family moved in. Sir Nicholas was elected Lord Mayor of London in 1832 and was knighted in 1633. In 1634 he was made President of St Bartholomew's Hospital, which position he held until his death at Forty Hall in 1646. In 1640 he refused to lend money to Charles I and also refused to supply details of the wealth of his associates when requested to do so by the Crown. He was subsequently imprisoned, taken to Marshalsea and moved to the Tower of London with four other Alderman. He was released after five days due to public demonstrations. In 1642 he turned down the offer of a place on the Committee of Safety on the grounds of "many employments" and retired to Forty Hall. Upon his death his nephew, also Nicholas, inherited the estate, although still a minor. Forty Hall has a beautiful garden with a wonderful display of rhododendrons in the Spring.

The house has recently been restored to its original layout with the top floor also now being open.