The house from a circa 1920 postcard
Earlier Houses: The current house sits on the site of a preceptory of the Knights Templar, founded in 1147 by Bernard de Balliol. In 1312, after the dissolution of the Templars, the buildings were occupied by the Knights Hospitallers; they were here until 1542, when they too were dissolved as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The 16th century house of the Sadleir family that was built here after the dissolution possibly incorporated Medieval monastic elements; this house was demolished when the current house was erected in the early 18th century.
Built / Designed For: Benedict Ithell
House & Family History: In 1908 Temple Dinsley was hugely enlarged by Edwin Lutyens, who returned in 1911 and extended the service wing. In 1935 the house became the Princess Helena College for girls; in the same year the college engaged F.J. Lander to raise the wings. Temple Dinsley is today the Temple Dinsley Summer School.
Garden & Outbuildings: The gardens were laid out in the early 20th century by Gertrude Jekyll.
Architect: F. J. Lander
Date: 1935Country Life: XXIX, 562 plan, 1911.
Title: Buildings of England: Hertfordshire, The
Author: Pevsner, Nikolaus; Cherry, Bridget
Year Published: 2000
Reference: pg. 359
Publisher: London: Penguin Books
ISBN: 0140710078
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Grade II*
Park Listed: Grade II*
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Sir Ralph Sadleir, 16th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Benedict Ithell, 18th century. H.G. Fenwick, early 20th century.
Current Ownership Type: School
Primary Current Ownership Use: School
Ownership Details: Today Temple Dinsley Summer School
House Open to Public: No
Phone: 01462-432-100
Fax: 01462-443-871
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://templedinsley.com
Historic Houses Member: No