Earlier Houses: There was at least one earlier house on, or near, the site of the current house.

Built / Designed For: John Ashburnham

House & Family History: The current Ashburnham Place was first built in 1665 by John Ashburnham in a simple Wren style; it was later reconstructed and enlarged (circa 1780) by the 2nd Earl of Ashburnham, who added of a new front of 15 bays. In 1813 the exterior was given a Gothick makeover, followed in 1830 by enormous new Tudor style extensions, complete with turrets, with another complete refacing in 1853. The majority of the house was demolished in the 1950s, after the death Lady Catherine Ashburnham, daughter of the 5th Earl (the panels from the dining room are today in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum). A circa 1810 watercolor of Ashburnham Place by Turner is today in the collection of the University of Liverpool. Ashburnham was a neighboring estate of Rosehill (the home of the Fuller family, friends of Turner's), which was itself the subject of a number of watercolors by the artist. In 1953, at the passing of Lady Catherine, Asburnham was inherited by the Rev. John Bickersteth, a grandson of the 6th Earl. In 1960 the Rev. Bickersteth gave the house and 220 acres (which included the pleasure grounds and gardens) to the Ashburnham Christian Trust, who operate a Christian retreat and conference center here. (We are grateful to Charles Hind for contributing much to this history of Ashburnham).

Collections: The 4th Earl of Ashburnham formed an exceptional collection of illuminated manuscripts at Ashburnham Place. One of the stars of the collection, today called "The Lindau Gospels" (aka "Lord Ashburnham's Gospel Book"), was purchased in 1846 by the 4th Earl and remained in the collection at Ashburnham House until it was acquired in 1901 by J.P. Morgan (it is today in the collection of the Morgan Library and Museum in New York). "The Lindau Gospels" features two exceptional jeweled covers (made at separate times for different Gospel Books); the circa 870-880 front cover, which contains 327 emeralds, garnets, sapphires, amethysts, and pearls, is one of most important surviving Medieval jeweled bindings in existence; the back cover was made about 100 years earlier in 8th century Austria. The majority of this important collection was sold in 1897 by the 5th Earl to the publishing baron Henry Yates Thompson.

Garden & Outbuildings: Part of the grounds are farmed on behalf of the Ashburnham Estate, which still owns a large part of the land that surrounds the house.

Chapel & Church: The Grade I-listed St. Peter's Church sits to the immediate west of the house.

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. I, p. 161, 1854.

John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. IV, 1828.

Country Life: XXXIX, 112, 144, 1916. CXIII, 1158, 1246, 1334, 1953.

House Listed: Grade II

Park Listed: Grade II*

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: John Ashburnham, 1665-71; John Ashburnham, 1st Baron Ashburnham, until 1710; William Ashburnham, 2nd Baron Ashburnham, 1710; John Ashburnham, 3rd Baron Ashburnham and 1st Earl of Ashburnham, 1710-37; John Ashburnham, 2nd Earl of Ashburnham, 1737-1812; George Ashburnham, 3rd Earl of Ashburnham, 1812-30; Bertram Ashburnham, 4th Earl of Ashburnham, 1830-78; Bertram Ashburnham, 5th Earl of Ashburnham, 1878-1913; Thomas Ashburnham, 6th Earl of Ashburnham, 1913-24; Lady Catherine Ashburnham, until 1953. The Rev. John Bickersteth, 1953-60.

Current Ownership Type: Charity / Nonprofit

Primary Current Ownership Use: Other

Ownership Details: Since 1960 owned by Ashburnham Christian Trust, who operate the house as a retreat and conference center.

House Open to Public: By Appointment

Phone: 01424-892-244

Website: https://www.ashburnham.org.uk/

Historic Houses Member: No