The house from an 1830 hand-colored engraving
The entrance facade
One of the historic pianos once in the collection at Finchcocks
The Rose Walk from a circa 1907 postcard
Earlier Houses: There was an earlier house on the site of the current house.
Built / Designed For: Edward Bathurst
House & Family History: Siegfried Sassoon visited Finchcocks and described the house in his 1942 memoir, "The Weald of Youth." During World War II the house was requisitioned by the British Army. Between 1960 and 1970 Finchcocks served as a school for The Legat Ballet. Richard Burnett, a fortepianist and promoter of the early piano, purchased Finchcocks in 1971. Together with his wife, Katrina, he built reproductions of historic keyboard instruments and restored the real things in workshops on the grounds. The 17th century statue of Queen Anne in the center niche over the entrance was installed in the late 19th century and supposedly came from the old Royal Exchange in London.
Collections: Richard Burnett's noted collection of approximately 100 historical keyboard instruments (most of which were sold at auction in 2016, bringing a total of £835,462) made Finchcocks an international music destination.
Architect: Thomas Archer
Date: 1725Country Life: L, 132. XCIX, 670, 716.
Title: Country Life Cumulative Index: Volumes I to CXCIII to December 1999
Author: NA
Year Published: 2000
Publisher: London: IPC Magazines Limited
ISBN: NA
Book Type: Light Softback
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Not Listed
Current Seat / Home of: Neil and Harriet Nichols; here since 2016.
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Edward Horden, 16th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Edward Bathurst, 1725-72; The Rev. Thomas Bathurst, 1772-96. Robert Springett, 1797-1826; Richard Springett, 1826-63. Edward Hussey, 19th century. Captain A.W.J. Cecil, 1919-35. Francis Lycett-Green, 1930s. David St. Clair-Erskine, 20th century. Richard and Katrina Burnett, 1971-2015.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
Ownership Details: Concerts are held in the house and rooms can be booked for overnight stays.
House Open to Public: By Appointment
Phone: 01580-428-080
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.finchcocks.com/
Historic Houses Member: No