The House from an 1832 engraving published by George Virtue
The Entrance Facade from a circa 1900 postcard
The Felix Hall Vase as seen in 2013 at the British Museum
Earlier Houses: The Filliol family came over with William the Conqueror and were probably in possession of the estate by the 12th century (Felix is a corruption of Filliol). There was at least one earlier house on, or near, the ruins of today's 18th century house.
Built / Designed For: Sir Anthony Abdy
House & Family History: Charles Western, later 1st Baron Western, purchased Felix Hall in 1796; by the early 19th century he had made additions in the classical style based on a drawing by Antoine Desgodetz of the Temple of Portunus. Felix had a nine-bay early 18th century center; the bows were probably added in the early 19th century, and the portico was built in 1825. The House was burned by the British Army in 1941; the ruinous shell is Grade II-listed. Bits and pieces of Felix Hall have ended up all over Britain: the Gothick style Library from the House was moved to Monreith House, Dumfries & Galloway; a chimneypiece, probably designed by Robert Adam, is today in the Drawing Room at Buxted Place, Surrey; the Library at Buxted also contains paneling and a chimneypiece from Felix; 18th century Chinese wallpaper from Felix was installed in the Dining Room of Kingston Russell House, Dorset.
Collections: The Felix Hall Vase, a monumental vase from the 2nd century AD found near Rome, is today in the collection of The British Museum, London. The vase was acquired by Lord Western in 1825 and presented to the museum in 1838 (see photo in "Images" section).
Title: Buildings of England: Sussex, The
Author: Pevsner, Nikolaus; Nairn, Ian
Year Published: 1973
Reference: pg. 466
Publisher: London: Penguin Books
ISBN: 0140710280
Book Type: Hardback
Title: No Voice From the Hall: Early Memories of a Country House Snooper
Author: Harris, John
Year Published: 1998
Publisher: London: John Murray
ISBN: 0719555671
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Burke's & Savills Guide to Country Houses, Volume III: East Anglia
Author: Kenworthy-Browne, John; Reid, Peter; Sayer, Michael; Watkin, David
Year Published: 1981
Reference: pg. 51
Publisher: London: Burke's Peerage
ISBN: 0850110351
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Grade II
Park Listed: Not Listed
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSES: Filliol family, 12th-14th centuries. Sir John de Bohun, 14th century. Sir Robert Southwell, 16th century. William Russell, 1st Baron Russell of Thornhaugh, 16th century. Sir Thomas Cecil, early 17th century. Anthony Abdy, 17th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Sir Anthony Abdy, early 18th century; Abdy family here from 1630 until 1744. John Williams, 1744-61. Daniel Mathews, mid-18th century. Samuel Tyson, late 18th century. Charles Callis Western, 1st Baron Western, 1796-1844; Thomas Burch Western, 1844-73. Capt. H.F. Jackson, 1930s. Geoffrey Houghton Brown, mid-20th century. Milner Gray, 20th century.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Ruinous
House Open to Public: No
Historic Houses Member: No