Earlier Houses: There was at least one earlier house on, or near, the site of the 19th century house.

Built / Designed For: John Martin Leake

House & Family History: Thorpe Hall was a plain, early 19th century white brick house. During World War II Thorpe was occupied by the Ministry of Defence. At her death in 1949, the Dowager Lady Byng left the estate to her companion, who, in 1951, sold it to Sir George Nelson for use as the Lady Nelson Convalescent Home for employees of English Electric, a purpose it served until 1988, when the house was sold to a developer. Thorpe Hall was demolished in the early 21st century and replaced with a residential spa (completed in December 2010).

Garden & Outbuildings: Evelyn Byng, Viscountess Byng, laid out the gardens in the early 20th century with advice from Robert Wallace, a Colchester landscape gardener.

House Listed: Demolished

Park Listed: Grade II

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSES: Sir Thomas Darcy, 16th century; Darcy family here until the 1660s. Thomas Wharton, 17th century; Andrew Wharton, 17th century. Henry Nurse, early 18th century. Stephen Martin-Leake, 18th century; Stephen Martin-Leake, 18th century. SEATED AT 19TH CENTURY HOUSE: John Martin-Leake, 19th century; Leake family here until 1913. Field Marshal Julian Hedworth George Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy, 1913-35.

Current Ownership Type: Corporation

Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No