Earlier Houses: Parts of the earlier 17th and 18th century houses survive in the basement foundations of the current 19th century house.

House & Family History: A now-destroyed 17th century long gallery was described by John Evelyn in 1669 during a visit to Chippenham. Admiral of the Fleet Edward Russell, 1st Earl of Orford, entertained George I at Chippenham in 1717. Russell was a naval hero, best known for his victories at the battles of Barfleur and La Hogue in 1692, and one of the Immortal Seven, a group of English noblemen who issued the invitation to Prince William of Orange (later King William III) to depose the British king, James II, in what has become known as the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Russell was living in Holland at the time the invitation was issued, where he served as Prince William's secretary.

Collections: An English carved and gilded limewood mirror frame, probably made between 1675 and 1700 by Dutch or French Huguenots in London for Admiral Edward Russell, is today in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (see "Images" section). The Friends of the Fitzwilliam acquired the frame in 2016 for £345,000 in celebration of the museum's 200th anniversary. The Fitzwilliam states that "this elaborate mirror frame is a unique survivor from the golden age of English wood carving." It was commissioned by Admiral Russell, a generous patron of architecture and the arts, for Chippenham, a house that was noted for its sophisticated internal woodwork. Decorated with symbols of eternal glory, the frame was very likely commissioned to celebrate the admiral's naval victories of 1692 and to celebrate his appointment as admiral of the fleet and first lord of the admiralty.

Garden & Outbuildings: One of earliest Georgian estate model villages in England was created at Chippenham between 1696 and 1714 by Admiral Russell.

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: Vol. I, p. 34, 1852.

House Listed: Grade II

Park Listed: Not Listed

Current Seat / Home of: Crawley family (inherited from Tharps); here since 1985.

Past Seat / Home of: Thomas Revett, 17th century. Sir William Russell, 4th Bt., 17th century; Admiral Edward Russell, 1st Earl of Orford, 1688-1727; Russell family here from circa 1600 until 1792. John Tharp, 18th century; William Montague Tharp, 19th century; Tharp family here from 1791 until 1948. Basil Bacon, 20th century; Bacon family here 1948-85. Eustace Crawley, 1985-2000.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

House Open to Public: Limited Access to Grounds Only

Phone: 01638-721-416

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.chippenhamparkgardens.info

Historic Houses Member: No