House & Family History: Nether Winchendon was in monastic ownership until the Dissolution of the Monasteries, when it was let to a son-in-law of Sir Thomas More. It passed to the Russells, earls of Bedford, who sold it in 1559 to a City merchant, William Goodwin, whose descendants continue to live here today (the family have owned the house, estate, and village since 1559). The house was a timber-framed, mostly Tudor, mansion when it was inherited by Scrope Bernard in 1780. Bernard, a younger son of the last British governor of Massachusetts, extended Nether Winchendon in stone and brick, added Gothic-style windows, and the arched entrance screen, all in the Strawberry Hill Gothic style, leaving a romantic house with curlicue chimneys and a crenellated skyline. Nether Winchendon is noted for its linenfold paneling and stained glass windows that feature 16th century armorial and 17th century Flemish glass.

Collections: One of the treasures of Nether Winchendon is a tapestry depicting Henry VIII, the only contemporary depiction of the king in this medium. It is believed to have been commissioned to celebrate Russell's creation as a knight of the Garter in 1539.

Garden & Outbuildings: The house sits in a 600-acre park.

Country Life: CXXVII, 924 plan, 986, 1062, 1960.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Not Listed

"Forever Green" (1989-92 - TV series, as Lady Patricia Broughall's house). "Inspector Morse" (1992 - TV series, as William Bryce-Morgan's house in the episode "Dead on Time"). "Chef!" (1993-96 - TV series, as the exteriors of the French restaurant Le Chateau Anglais). "The Unknown Soldier" (1998 - as Sophie's ancestral home). "Midsomer Murders" (1999 - TV series, as the Lodge of the Golden Windhorse in the episode "Death In Disguise"). "Oliver Twist" (1999 - TV mini series, as Mr. Brownlow's country house in Chertsey). "Midsomer Murders" (2000 - TV series, as Deverell Manor in the episode "Garden of Death"). "The Way We Live Now" (2001). "Stately Suppers" (2005 - TV documentary). "Marple: Ordeal by Innocence" (2007 - TV series, as Sunny Point). "Midsomer Murders" (2008 - TV series, as Monks Barton Priory in the episode "Talking to the Dead"). "The Nest" (2020).

Current Seat / Home of: Robert Spencer-Bernard

Past Seat / Home of: Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, until 1559. William Goodwin, 16th century. Scrope Bernard, 1780-1830.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01844-290-101

Fax: 01844-290-199

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.nwhouse.co.uk/

Historic Houses Member: Yes