Earlier Houses: The Estate at Ditton was originally the property of the de Moleyne family; a house of circa 1335 was the first known dwelling here. This house was added to and altered in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries and burned in 1812 and was replaced by the current house, which incorporated elements of the earlier house. It was this earlier house that Princess Mary, later Mary I, visited in 1517.

Built / Designed For: Elizabeth, 3rd Duchess of Buccleuch

House & Family History: After an 1812 fire gutted first house, a new Ditton Park was built in the Strawberry Hill Gothick style to the designs of William Atkinson for the wife of the 3rd Duke of Buccleuch. The British Admiralty occupied the House in 1917, during World War I, and remained here until the end of the 20th century. In 2002 Ditton went through a complete restoration to its 1812 plans, including the restoration of the original Gothic style fittings made by cabinetmaker George Bullock. After its rebirth the House served as the headquarters for an IT company; it is today an event venue.

Collections: A white Carrara marble statue of "Glory" by Giovanni Baratta, originally made for the 1st Duke of Marlborough in Florence in 1715 (though never taken delivery of by him and installed at Blenheim, as was intended), was purchased by the 1st Duke of Chandos in 1721 and was in the collection at Canons later that year (it is in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, today; see photo in "Images" section). The statue was one of a pair made for Marlborough; its mate, "Fame" or "Valour," was known to be in the collection at Ditton Park in the 18th century; its location is unknown today.

Garden & Outbuildings: There is a moat that still surrounds the House.

Chapel & Church: The Chapel, also designed by Atkinson, was built in 1817.

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: Vol. I, 1818.

Country Life: Jan 11, 1990.

House Listed: Grade II

Park Listed: Grade II

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: de Moleyne (Molyn) family, 14th century. Sir Ralph Winwood, 17th century. Ralph Montagu, 1st Duke of Montagu, 1st Earl of Montagu, and 1st Viscount Monthermer, 17th century. Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch and 5th Duke of Queensberry, 18th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Elizabeth, 3rd Duchess of Buccleuch, 1812-27; Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and 7th Duke of Queensberry, 1827-84; Charlotte Anne, Dowager Duchess of Buccleuch, late 19th century. Frederick Glyn, 4th Baron Wolverton, 1920s.

Current Ownership Type: Corporation

Primary Current Ownership Use: Wedding & Event Venue

House Open to Public: By Appointment

Phone: 01753-255-444

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://dittonmanor.com/

Historic Houses Member: No