WELCOME
Apart from a short period during WW2 when it was sequestered by the Navy, this fine Clothier's house has been a cherished family home for 400 years.
​
The present owners and occupants moved here from London in 2005 and have carefully renovated the interior, exterior and gardens using traditional methods and finishes wherever possible.
​
Like many owners of Listed buildings, they regard themselves as holding the property in trust for future generations and welcome visitors by prior arrangement, especially through www.invitationtoview.co.uk
​
The house is Grade II* Listed and is a member of the Historic Houses Association www.hha.org.uk
After a busy winter and early months of 2016 carrying out the annual maintenance on the house, we spent much of our time in the spring and summer adding a new water feature in the Mill Garden and creating a new Walled Garden from what was previously a 'kicking space' for our children.
​
We've also had lots of pre-arranged tours of the house and garden this year and we have been delighted with the enthusiasm and interest people have shown for our "fascinating" house and gardens, and the cream tea and cake that come as part of the package!
Get
inspired
As well as being an ideal location for a photo-shoot, the house also inspired formerly-local artist Fleur Quinn to produce a number of water colours of scenes around the house and gardens.
​
The stair has also aroused some debate as to whether the commissioner of the house, James Strode, was left-handed. Apparently, the twist on Jacobean and earlier stairs was such that the owner could defend his property whilst retreating backwards up the stair, sword in hand and his free hand on the balluster. On this reasoning, James was indeed left-handed!
​
We have a ghost. Apparently, during WW2, a naval officer shot a white crinolined apparition as he awoke. The family has not seen her, but Amanda has smelt unknown perfume wafting on the stair.
