Built / Designed For: James Medlycott

House & Family History: James Medlycott had a house here by 1698; by 1725 this House had been enlarged and remodeled and its axis moved to face the London Road, all to the designs of Nathaniel Ireson. The 2nd Baronet engaged Decimus Burton in 1836 to redesign the arrangement of the interiors and to add matching pavilions to the sides of the House to contain offices and a Conservatory. Ven House is seven by five bays on a rectangular plan and is built of Flemish bond red brick with local Ham stone dressings. The North and South Facades are divided by two giant Corinthian pilasters, while the roof is hipped with Welsh slate behind balustraded parapets. The 6th (and last) Baronet, The Rev. Sir Hubert Medlycott (1841-1920), moved out of Ven circa 1916 and made his residence at nearby Sandford Orcas Manor. During World War II the House was a boys' boarding school; in 1957 Ven was sold away from the Medlycott family. In 2004 the House was sold again, for about £6.5 million; in 2006 it was listed again for sale, together with 34 acres, for £8.5 million.

Collections: Christie's auctioned the contents of Ven House on June 21 and 22, 1999, bringing a total of £4.7 million.

Comments: "One of the most complete examples of a country house...", H. Avray Tipping, writing in "Country Life," 1911.

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. I, p. 243, 1854.

Country Life: XXIX, 924, 1911.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Grade II

Current Seat / Home of: Jasper Conran; here since 2007.

Past Seat / Home of: James Medlycott, 18th century; Sir William Coles Medlycott, 2nd Bt., 19th century; Medlycott family here from 1696 until 1916. Jerome Murray and Thomas Kyle, until 1999.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No