Garden & Outbuildings: A famous, and very elaborate, temporary Neoclassical garden pavilion, designed by Robert Adam for the 12th Earl of Derby, was unveiled on June 9, 1774 for a grand fête-champêtre on the grounds of The Oaks. The 12th Earl (see “Images” section) was great fan of the turf (his racing colors were black with a white cap) and his influence on horse racing was huge: he founded the Oaks and Derby races, the former in 1778 after a dinner party at The Oaks (the first running was the next year and Lord Derby’s horse, Bridget, won the race). Not surprisingly, the estate lent its name to today's Oaks Stakes for three-year-old fillies, run annually at Epsom Downs Racecourse (the race once ran through The Oaks Estate). The Derby Stakes, also known as the Epsom Derby or the Derby, was founded by the earl in 1780 and remains the most prestigious of the five British Classics (Group 1 horse races run during the traditional flat racing season). Though the house was demolished in the 1950s, the bake house, the stableblock, and some outbuildings are extant.

John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. IV, 1821. Vol. II, 1819.

House Listed: Demolished

Park Listed: Destroyed

Past Seat / Home of: Thomas Gosling, 18th century. Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby, 18th century. General John Burgoyne, 18th century. Sir Charles Grey, 19th century. H. Berkeley James, late 19th century.

Current Ownership Type: Demolished

Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No