The house from "Morris's Views of Seats," circa 1875.
House & Family History: The estate, originally known as Down Farm, was enclosed in 1716. The early 18th century house was considerably enlarged during the mid-19th century, at which time it was owned by Sir John Wildbore Smith, 2nd Bt., who passed it to his eldest son, Sir John James Smith, 3rd Bt. At the time of the Tithe Commutation Act of 1836 much of the land in the area was owned by the Smith family (Tithe Commutation was an Act of Parliament that replaced the ancient system of payment of tithes in-kind with monetary payments; the act is especially noted for the maps that were produced as a side effect of the valuation process). The Down House was used by the British Army during World War II, until it burned in 1941 (it was demolished in 1954). The Stableblock is extant.
Garden & Outbuildings: The Grade II-listed 18th century Stableblock is extant.
House Listed: Demolished
Park Listed: Not Listed
Current Seat / Home of: Cooper family (descendants of the daughter of Sir William Henry Smith-Marriott, 5th Bt.)
Past Seat / Home of: James Forster Knight, until 1808; John Baverstock Knight, 1808-?. Sir John Wyldbore Smith, 2nd Bt., until 1852; Sir John James Smith, 3rd Bt., 1852-62; Sir William Marriott Smith-Marriott, 4th Bt., 1862-64; Sir William Henry Smith-Marriott, 5th Bt., 1864-1924; Sir William John Smith-Marriott, 6th Bt., 1924-41.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished
Ownership Details: The Cooper family continues to own and occupy the estate. The grounds are today The Inside Park Camp Site.
House Open to Public: No
Phone: 01258-453-719
Fax: 01258-459-921
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.theinsidepark.co.uk
Historic Houses Member: No