House & Family History: Braziers, a stylistic cousin of the 1770s Midford Castle in Somerset, is a house with a gray stuccoed entrance facade with pinnacles, an embattled tower, a veranda, and a porch (with a mock portcullis)—all in the Gothic style. Isaac George Manley (1755–1837), whose late 18th century alterations left the house as seen today, had a notable naval career. As a teenager, Manley was with Captain Cook on the first voyage of the "Endeavour" (1768–71); in 1796, when he was commander of HMS "Apollo," Manley captured the French corvette "Legere." He was made a rear admiral in 1809 and admiral of the red in 1837. Valentine Fleming, MP for South Oxfordshire, who was seated here in the early 20th century, was the son of Robert Fleming of Joyce Grove and the father of Ian and Peter Fleming, both of whom briefly lived here when they were very young. Ian, of course, was the creator of James Bond, while his brother Peter was a noted explorer and author. Sir Ernest Moon (1854–1930), counsel to the speaker of the House of Commons, purchased Braziers from Valentine Fleming in 1911; his widow, Lady Moon, sold the house to Norman Glaister in 1950. It was Glaister who setup the School of Integrative Social Research (still based at Braziers today), which began as a commune to "explore the dynamics of people living in groups, to develop better methods of interpersonal communication and to find new ways of combining knowledge to make it more meaningful." An important member of the commune in its early days was Robert Glynn Faithfull (1912-98), whose daughter, Marianne Faithfull, spent part of her early life at Braziers. Mick Jagger came to stay with Marianne at Braziers after his release from prison in 1967 (he was then her boyfriend). In her autobiography Marianne described Braziers Park as a "mixture of high utopian thoughts and randy sex." Marianne's half-brother, Simon Faithfull, also grew up at Braziers.

Garden & Outbuildings: In August of 1996 the first annual Braziers International Artists' Workshop was held on the estate. Since 2008 Braziers has also hosted the annual Wood Music Festival.

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: Isaac George Manley, late 18th century. Frances Eliza (Fanny) Grenfell, 19th century. Valentine Fleming, 1906-11. Sir Ernest and Lady Moon, 1911-50. Norman Glaister, 1950-?

Current Ownership Type: School

Primary Current Ownership Use: School

Ownership Details: Since 1950 the School of Integrative Social Research and Braziers Park School, a residential adult education college. The House can be let for events.

House Open to Public: By Appointment

Phone: 01491-680-221

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.braziers.org.uk

Historic Houses Member: No