Earlier Houses: There were monastic buildings on, or near, the site of the house.

House & Family History: Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra were friends for years with three of the Bigg-Wither sisters from Manydown Park: Alethea, Catherine, and Elizabeth Bigg-Wither. And it was on December 2, 1802 at Manydown that Jane received her only known proposal of marriage: from Harris Bigg-Wither, the brother of Alethea, Catherine, and Elizabeth. Jane accepted, but changed her mind the next morning and ended the engagement.

Collections: An auction of the house's contents was held in 1962.

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. II, p. 196, 1853.

House Listed: Demolished

Park Listed: Destroyed

Past Seat / Home of: Richard Wither, until 1577; John Wither, 1577–1620; William Wither I, 1620–53; William Wither II, 1653–71; William Wither III, 1671–79; William Wither IV, 1679–1733; William Wither V, 1733–89; The Rev. Lovelace Bigg-Wither, 1789–1813; Harris Bigg-Wither, 1813-33; Lovelace Bigg-Wither, 1833-71. Sir Edward Bates, 1st Bt., 1871-96; Sydney Eggers Bates, 1896–1924; Col. Sydney Arthur Bates, 1924-58.

Current Ownership Type: Demolished

Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No