House & Family History: The Irishman Brendan Bracken leased Lynch House in the 1930s and 40s. Bracken, who served as a Conservative MP from 1929 until 1952, is most notable as Winston Churchill’s minister of information during World War II (from 1941 to 1945). One of Bracken’s employees at the Ministry of Information was Eileen Blair (née O'Shaughnessy), first wife of Eric Blair, better known by his pen name of George Orwell. Since its publication in 1949, there has been speculation that Orwell used Bracken, and his controversial policies, as the inspiration for Big Brother in "Nineteen Eighty-Four" ("1984"), his most famous novel. Even Bracken's initials lent credence to this theory, as he was known throughout the halls of government as “BB.” In 2023 the house, together with three acres, was listed for sale for £2.95 million.

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: Benjamin Bennett, 20th century. Sir Walter Beaupré Townley (as tenant), 1928-31. Brendan Bracken (as tenant), 1931-43?

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No