Built / Designed For: Peter Taylor

House & Family History: Marcus Binney, writing in "Sir Robert Taylor: From Rococo to Neo-Classicism," states that at Purbrook Park Robert Taylor "introduced what is almost certainly the earliest re-creation of a Roman atrium in England, which in plan has close parallels with the house of Castor and Pollux at Herculaneum, which was being excavated in the 1750s." After her divorce from the infamous Andrew Robinson Stoney, Mary Eleanor Bowes, Countess of Strathmore, lived at Purbrook Park in quiet retirement until her death in 1800. In 1924 Hampshire County Council purchased the house (the 19th century house that replaced the 18th century house) and grounds for £11,000 and converted it into a grammar school, originally known as Purbrook Park County High School.

House Replaced By: A circa 1830 Grade II-listed house (today Purbrook Park School) replaced the 18th century house.

House Listed: Demolished

Park Listed: Destroyed

Past Seat / Home of: Peter Taylor, 18th century. Mary Eleanor Bowes, Countess of Strathmore, 18th century. John Deverell, 19th century; Deverell family here until 1919. Maurice Hill, 1919-24.

Current Ownership Type: School

Primary Current Ownership Use: School

Ownership Details: Since 1924 Purbrook Park School

House Open to Public: No

Phone: 02392-370-351

Fax: 02392-617-941

Email: [email protected]

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

Historic Houses Member: No