Built / Designed For: Edward Spelman

House & Family History: High House is noted for its Rococo Dining Room, which features a head of Medusa cartouche on ceiling and the inscription "Solonos" in Greek. The Birkbeck family, who had been at High for over 100 years, listed the House, together with an Estate of 1,000 acres, for sale for £9.5 million in 2010. The English sculptor Antony Gormley (probably most famous for his enormous "Angel of the North" near Gateshead, Tyne and Wear) purchased High House and 100 acres for £3 million in September 2010. Gormley, together with Damien Hirst at Toddington Manor, is a member of the new artocracy (artists with aristocratic trappings).

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. III, 1820.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Not Listed

Current Seat / Home of: Antony Gormley; here since 2010.

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Barkham family, 18th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Edward Spelman, 1756-60. Philip Case, 1760. Anthony Hamond, early 19th century; Hammond family here from 1761 until the 1890s. Birkbeck family, 1890s-2010.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No