DiCamillo Companion
England

Benham Park (Benham Place) (Benham Valence Manor)

  • Earlier Houses: The current house was built on the site of Benham Valence Manor, an earlier manor house.

    Built / Designed For: 6th Earl of Craven

    House & Family History: Benham is a stone house of nine bays and three stories with a portico of four unfluted Ionic columns. In 1983 the house was converted into offices by Norsk Data, who used it as their European headquarters until 2003. Between 2003 and 2011 Benham was home to 2e2, an ICT life services company. In 2011 the house was sold to developers Harry Marriott and Michael Fresson for £5 million. In 2026 Benham Park was scheduled to open as an event venue.

    Comments: Pevsner called the gatepiers and lodges at the northeast corner "excellent."

  • Garden & Outbuildings: The gatepiers on the northwest corner are believed to have come from Hamstead Marshall.

  • Architect: Henry Holland

    Date: 1772-75
    Designed: House, together with Capability Brown.

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    Architect: Robert William Furze Brettingham

    Date: 1789
    Designed: Bridge in Park for 6th Lord Craven (demolished)

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    Architect: Lancelot Brown

    Date: 1772-75
    Designed: Laid out grounds and designed House, together with Holland.

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  • Title: Georgian: The Magazine of the Georgian Group, The
    Author: NA
    Year Published: NA
    Reference: January 2002, pg. 11
    Publisher: London: The Georgian Group
    ISBN: NA
    Book Type: Magazine

    Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
    Author: Colvin, Howard
    Year Published: 1995
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 0300072074
    Book Type: Softback

    Title: Buildings of England: Berkshire, The
    Author: Pevsner, Nikolaus
    Year Published: 1966
    Publisher: London: Penguin Books
    ISBN: NA
    Book Type: Hardback

  • House Listed: Grade II*

    Park Listed: Grade II

  • "Miss Marple: Nemesis" (1987 - TV series, as Rafiel House).
  • Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Giovanni Battista Castiglione, 16th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Col. William Craven, 6th Baron Craven, until 1791. Christian Frederick Charles Alexander, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, until 1806. Sir Richard Lexington Sutton, 9th Bt., until 1982.

    Current Ownership Type: Corporation

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Event Venue

    Ownership Details: Available for retreats and events.

  • House Open to Public: By Appointment

    Website: https://benhampark.com/

    Historic Houses Member: No

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