DiCamillo Companion
England

Lees Court

  • Earlier Houses: There was an earlier house on the site of the current house.

    Built / Designed For: Sir George Sondes

    House & Family History: Lees Court was destroyed by fire in November of 1910 (see "Images" section) and rebuilt to exacting standards that replicated the original house. In the early 21st century the Countess Sondes started a company called Seeds the Countess Sondes that markets cosmetics based on wheat germ oil grown on the 4,500-acre Lees Estate.

  • Architect: Inigo Jones

    Date: 1650
    Designed: House
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
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    Architect: John Soane

    Date: Late 18th century
    Designed: New Stables, estate offices, and Dairy

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    Architect: Montague Wheeler

    Date: Circa 1910-12
    Designed: Rebuilt House after fire

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    Architect: Thomas Hayton Mawson

    Date: 1908
    Designed: Formal Gardens

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  • 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. IV, 1828.

    Country Life: LII, 178, 210 plan, 1922.

  • Title: Glory of the English House, The
    Author: Esher, Lionel
    Year Published: 1997
    Reference: pg. 73
    Publisher: London: Barrie & Jenkins
    ISBN: 0752904434
    Book Type: Hardback

  • House Listed: Grade I

    Park Listed: Grade II

  • Current Seat / Home of: Countess Sondes

    Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Sir George Sondes, later 1st Earl of Feversham, 17th century. Louis, Lord Duras of Holdenby, late 17th century. Lewes Watson, 1st Earl of Rockingham, early 18th century. Lewis Monson, 1st Earl Sondes, 18th century.

    Current Ownership Type: Corporation

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Flats / Multi Family

    Ownership Details: Sold to a developer in 1975 and divided into flats, one of which is occupied by the Sondes family.

  • House Open to Public: No

    Phone: 01227-731-331

    Historic Houses Member: No