A 1787 engraving of the house
The house in the early 21st century
Earlier Houses: There was an earlier house on, or near, the site of the current house.
Built / Designed For: Col. John Campbell, later 4th Duke of Argyll
House & Family History: In the early 19th century Combe Bank was the childhood home of Henry, Cardinal Manning. Between 1879 and 1880, when the house was owned by the mathematician and physicist William Spottiswoode, president of the Royal Society, the library was redecorated by Walter Crane in a 17th century Italian style.
Architect: Richard Norman Shaw
Date: Circa 1900Architect: Robert Adam
Date: Circa 1775-77 (one wing not built until the 19th century)Vitruvius Britannicus: C. IV, pls. 75-77, 1767.
Country Life: Sep 28, 1972.
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 2008
Reference: pgs. 53, 67, 707
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300125085
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Grade II*
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: William Ash, until 1720. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Col. John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll, 1725-70; Field Marshal John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll, 1770-71; Lord Frederick Campbell, 1771-1816. William Manning, 1816-30. Arthur Chichester, 1st Baron Templemore, 1830-37. The Rev. Augustus Clayton, 1845-64. William Spottiswoode, 1864-83. Ludwig Mond, 1906-09; Robert Mond, 1909-21.
Current Ownership Type: School
Primary Current Ownership Use: School
Ownership Details: Since 1924 owned by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus and operated as Combe Bank School. In 2016 the School's name was changed to Radnor House, Sevenoaks.
House Open to Public: No
Phone: 01959-567-166
Fax: 01959-561-997
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.radnor-sevenoaks.org
Historic Houses Member: No