DiCamillo Companion
England

Somerley House

Somerley, near Downton

Hampshire

England

Circa Date: 1792-95 w/19th & 20th century alterations and additions

Status: Partially Extant

Some of the Victorian additions were demolished in the 1950s

House Open to Public: By Appointment

Country House: Yes

This house has been used for TV and Film

The house from a 1917 postcard

  • Built / Designed For: David Hobson

    Collections: Somerley houses an important collection of paintings, furniture, and porcelain.

  • Garden & Outbuildings: The Somerley Estate covers 7,000 acres and is one of the largest estates in southern England.

  • Architect: William Burn

    Date: 1869-70
    Designed: Alterations and additions for 3rd Earl of Northampton (partly demolished circa 1955)

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    Architect: John MacVicar Anderson

    Date: 1870-74
    Designed: Continued work of William Burn for 3rd Earl of Normanton (partly demolished circa 1955)

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    Architect: Samuel Wyatt

    Date: 1792-95
    Designed: House for David Hobson

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  • Country Life: CXXIII, 108 plan, 156, 202, 1958.

  • Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
    Author: Colvin, Howard
    Year Published: 1995
    Reference: pg. 192
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 0300072074
    Book Type: Softback

    Title: Disintegration of a Heritage: Country Houses and their Collections, 1979-1992, The
    Author: Sayer, Michael
    Year Published: 1993
    Publisher: Norfolk: Michael Russell (Publishing)
    ISBN: 0859551970
    Book Type: Hardback

  • House Listed: Grade II*

    Park Listed: Not Listed

  • "Mansfield Park" (1983 - BBC TV mini series, as Mansfield Park exteriors and some interiors). "The Crown" (2020 - TV series, as Highgrove House). "Bridgerton" (2020 - TV series, as Hampstead Heath and the interiors of Somerset House).

  • Current Seat / Home of: James Shaun Christian Welbore Ellis Agar, 7th Earl of Normanton; Agar family here since the 18th century.

    Past Seat / Home of: David Hobson, 18th century. Welbore Ellis Agar, 2nd Earl of Normanton, until 1868; James Charles Herbert Welbore Ellis Agar, 3rd Earl of Normanton, until 1896; Edward John Sidney Christian Welbore Ellis Agar, 5th Earl of Normanton, until 1967.

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

    Ownership Details: The house is available for private bookings.

  • House Open to Public: By Appointment

    Phone: 01425-473-621

    Fax: 01425-476-613

    Email: estateoffice@somerley.com

    Website: https://somerley.com/

    Historic Houses Member: Yes

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