The first house (demolished) from an 1829 print. This image shows Bonomi's 18th century house before it was rebuilt in the 19th century.
Earlier Houses: According to Howard Colvin, there appears to have been an earlier, probably 17th century, house (the first house) on, or near, the site of the current (third) house.
Built / Designed For: 9th Earl of Winchilsea
House Replaced By: In 1926 the house (the second house) that is the primary focus of this record was demolished and replaced by the current early 20th century Grade II-listed house (the third house), today a hotel. It's likely that material from the earlier house was incorporated into the current house.
Garden & Outbuildings: The 1848 gatehouse, today called Eastwell Towers, is all that survives from the earlier houses.
Architect: William Winde (Wynne)
Date: Circa 1685Architect: Basil Charlton Deacon
Date: 1926-28Architect: Joseph Bonomi the Elder
Date: 1793-1800Architect: William Burn
Date: 1849Vitruvius Britannicus: C. New, I, pls. 39-42, 1802.
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: 2.S. Vol. II, 1825.
Country Life: I, 379, 1897.
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 2008
Reference: pgs. 142, 193, 1135
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300125085
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Destruction of the Country House, The
Author: Strong, Roy; Binney, Marcus; Harris, John
Year Published: 1974
Publisher: London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.
ISBN: 0500270052X
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Demolished
Park Listed: Not Listed
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT FIRST HOUSE: Heneage Finch, 3rd Earl of Winchilsea, until 1689; Charles Finch, 4th Earl of Winchilsea, 1689-1712; Heneage Finch, 5th Earl of Winchilsea, 1712-26; John Finch, 6th Earl of Winchilsea, 1726-29; Daniel Finch, 7th Earl of Winchilsea and 2nd Earl of Nottingham, 1729-30; Daniel Finch, 8th Earl of Winchilsea and 3rd Earl of Nottingham, 1730-69; George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea and 4th Earl of Nottingham, 1769-1800. SEATED AT SECOND HOUSE: George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea and 4th Earl of Nottingham, 1800-26; George William Finch-Hatton, 10th Earl of Winchilsea and 5th Earl of Nottingham, 1826-58; George James Finch-Hatton, 11th Earl of Winchilsea and 6th Earl of Nottingham, 1858-87; Murray Edward Gordon Finch-Hatton, 12th Earl of Winchilsea and 7th Earl of Nottingham, 1887-94. Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh (as tenant), 1870s. William Cansfield Gerard, 2nd Baron Gerard, 1894-1902; Frederic John Gerard, 3rd Baron Gerard, 1902-20. Osborn Dan, 1920-24. Sir John de Fonblanqua Pennefather, 1st Bt., 1924-26. SEATED AT THIRD (CURRENT) HOUSE: Sir John de Fonblanqua Pennefather, 1st Bt., 1928-30. Madeline Cecilia Carlyle Brodrick, Countess Midleton, 20th century.
Current Ownership Type: Corporation
Primary Current Ownership Use: Hotel
Ownership Details: Today Champneys Eastwell Manor Hotel & Health Spa
House Open to Public: By Appointment
Phone: 03432-241-700
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.champneys.com/
Historic Houses Member: No