The Hidden House

The west façade of the house gives a good impression of how the earlier house appeared © English Heritage The façade gives a good impression of the appearance of the original brick house built between 1665 and 1673. It was revealed when later additions on this side of the house were demolished. 

Sir Robert Henley (c.1624–92), a successful politician, bought The Grange estate in 1662. His friend, the amateur architect William Samwell, created a grand mansion house which displayed his skill in planning and interior proportions. The great staircase was particularly magnificent, rising from the ground to the roof.

The Baring family, who bought the estate in 1817, developed  and extended the house. They commissioned the famous architect Charles Robert Cockerell (1788–1863) to build a dining room and a fine conservatory. These additions were demolished in the 1970s, revealing the original west façade of Sir Robert Henley's house.