History
The early Georgian manor house, constructed in 1730 for one Benjamin Hoare, Esq, was designed by prominent architects Henry Flitcroft and the renowned Sir James Gibbs - both with prestigious commissions such as Stourhead House in Wiltshire and the famous Radcliffe Camera in Oxford in their portfolios.
The mansion was embellished with a number of fine materials and decorations, including the original staircase from nearby New Hall (Palace of Beaulieu), which was owned by King Henry VIII. Through subsequent centuries, the house has undergone some notable changes, including the addition of grand carriage entrances to the left and right of the façade in the 19th century. Henry Ford noticed the mansion when his train broke down just at the right moment, and purchased the estate before going on to establish one of the world's largest automobile companies!