Earlier Houses: The 1721-60 house of the Monypenny family burned in 1893 and was replaced by the current early 20th century house, which incorporated 18th century pavilions from the old house.

Built / Designed For: H.J. Tenant

House & Family History: The gray brick Great Maytham Hall was home to Frances Hodgson Burnett, who wrote "Little Lord Fauntleroy," and, most famously, "The Secret Garden," which was inspired by the warm brick walls and wrought iron gate of the old walled rose garden at Great Maytham. Burnett's garden is still a prominent feature of the formally designed gardens and 17 acres of grounds today. Great Maytham was formerly a retirement community owned by the Country Houses Association; it was sold by them circa 2002 during their financial collapse and is today divided into flats. Ann Thwaite, a biographer of Frances Hodgson Burnett, believed that, while Burnett's large garden at Great Maytham Hall was instrumental in creation of the concept of 1911's "The Secret Garden," the location of the novel's imaginary Misselthwaite Manor was likely the windswept Yorkshire moors of the Brontes. Thwiate specifically posited that Charlotte Bronte's 1847 novel, "Jane Eyre," parallels the main story line of "The Secret Garden"—both heroines were orphans who were sent to large, scary mansions whose masters were largely absent. Fryston Hall may have played a part in the creation of Burnett's most famous work, as it is the only Yorkshire country house that the author is known to have visited.

Garden & Outbuildings: In 2005 the square concrete water tower on stilts designed by Edwin Lutyens to supply the house was converted to a domestic residence, which featured on the Channel 4 "Grand Designs" TV architecture program.

Country Life: XXXII, 746 plan, 1912.

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Grade II

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: James Monypenny, 18th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: H.J. Tenant, early 20th century. Frances Hodgson Burnett, 20th century.

Current Ownership Type: Flat Owners Company / Condo Association

Primary Current Ownership Use: Flats / Multi Family

Ownership Details: The garden is open as part of the National Garden Scheme

House Open to Public: Limited Access to Grounds Only

Phone: 07834-353-067

Historic Houses Member: No