DiCamillo Companion
England

Pyrford Court

Pyrford, Woking

Surrey

England

Circa Date: 1910

Status: Fully Extant

House Open to Public: No

Country House: Yes

crown This house has been used for TV and Film

  • Built / Designed For: Rupert Edward Cecil Lee Guinness, later 2nd Earl of Iveagh.

    House & Family History: Pyrford Court is a lush Edwardian house designed circa 1910 in the red brick Neo-Carolean style by Clyde Young for Rupert Guinness, later 2nd Earl of Iveagh. The land on which was House was built was part of an estate sold to Guinness by his father-in-law, the 4th Earl of Onslow, whose family had owned the land since the 17th century. In the inter-war years Lord Iveagh designed sympathetic wings to the House (J.A. Hale was the earl's executant architect for these additions). During World War II Pyrford housed the 20th Guard Brigade HQ staff (after Dunkirk) and hosted troop entertainment concert parties, including a dinner attended by King George VI in November 1940. After Lord Iveagh's death in 1967 the House remained empty, until it was sold in 1977 for use as a nursing home. After the closure of the nursing home in 1999, Pyrford has been frequently listed for sale. In 2000 it was sold for £3.25 million; in 2002 it was listed for £8 million (reduced to £6.5 million in 2003); and in 2010 it was up for sale for £20 million.

    Collections: The contents of Pyrford Court were auctioned by Christie's on June 4 and 5, 1968. The collection included early tapestries (Brussels, Mortlake, and Beauvais) and furniture (a Dutch marquetry commode, bureau and cabinet; and 18th century English and Italian pieces).

  • Garden & Outbuildings: The Pyrford Estate stood at 1,000 acres in the early 20th century and included a 65-acre garden laid out by Rupert Guinness in the style of Gertrude Jekyll. The estate today is 21 acres, which includes the Conservatory and the Orangery.

  • Architect: Edward Cecil Guinness (Iveagh)

    Date: 1920s-30s
    Designed: Additions to House for himself

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    Architect: Clyde Francis Young

    Date: Circa 1910
    Designed: House for Edward Cecil Guinness, later 1st Earl of Iveagh.

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  • House Listed: Grade II

    Park Listed: Grade II

  • "The Omen I" (1976 - as U.S. ambassador Thorn's residence). "Omen III: The Final Conflict" (1981 - scenes from original movie).

  • Past Seat / Home of: William Hillier Onslow, 4th Earl of Onslow, 19th century; Onslow family here from the 17th century until the early 20th century. Rupert Edward Cecil Lee Guinness, 2nd Earl of Iveagh, 1910-67.

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

  • House Open to Public: No

    Historic Houses Member: No

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