Earlier Houses: A 1760 house, built for William Watts, was demolished and replaced by the current house in the late 19th century by the 1st Lord Haversham. Parts of the earlier house were probably incorporated into the current house.

House & Family History: In the early 19th century South Hill was the seat of George Canning, who holds the record for the shortest serving prime minister in history, serving for only 119 days (from April 10 until August 8, 1827, his death). During World War I South Hill was used as a war work collection center (people from surrounding villages brought wool clothing to the House that were then sent to France). After the Hayter family sold South Hill in the 1930s, the House was used as offices and a hospital. South Hill became an arts center in 1973.

Garden & Outbuildings: In the 16th century the land which would become the South Hill Estate was part of Windsor Forest. In 1893 Prime Minister William Gladstone stayed at South Hill and planted a holly oak on the east side of the main lawn. Much of the South Hill parkland was developed as part of the expansion of Bracknell in the 1960s and 1970s.

House Listed: Grade II

Park Listed: Grade II

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: William Watts, 1760-64. Henry Bouverie, 1764-87. Sir Stephen Lushington, late 18th century. George Canning, 1807-27. Edmund Henry Pery, 1st Earl of Limerick, 1827-44. Sir James Matheson, 1847-53. Sir William Goodenough Hayter, 1st Bt., 1853-78. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Arthur Divett Hayter, 1st Baron Haversham, 1878-1917; Hayter family here until the 1930s.

Current Ownership Type: Charity / Nonprofit

Primary Current Ownership Use: Mixed Use

Ownership Details: Since 1973 South Hill Park Arts Centre

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01344-484-123

Website: https://www.southhillpark.org.uk

Historic Houses Member: No