Earlier Houses: In 1128 French monks built Waverley Abbey, the first Cistercian monastery in England. For the next 400 years the abbey was home to 2,000 monks, until its dissolution by Henry VIII in the 16th century. After the dissolution the abbey was used as a source of building material; both Waverley Abbey House and Loseley Park were built using stone from the old abbey. The ruins of the abbey are today managed by English Heritage and open to the public.

Built / Designed For: Sir John Aislabie

House & Family History: In 1723 the chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Aislabie, used materials from the old abbey to build a country house nearby. In the 19th century Waverley Abbey House passed into the hands of George Nicholson, brother-in-law of Florence Nightingale, a frequent visitor to Waverley, as was Sir Walter Scott, whose "Waverley Novels" (see "Images" section) took their name from the abbey (for the majority of the 19th century Scott's "Waverley" novels were among the most popular and widely read novels in Europe). During World War I the house was used as a military hospital, caring for 5,000 officers during the course of the war. It later became a residential nursing home. In 1983 CWR, a Christian charitable organization focused on publishing and training, purchased and restored Waverley Abbey House. Today the East Wing of the house is used for CWR's publishing activities, while many of the organization's courses are held in the main house.

Garden & Outbuildings: During World War II pillboxes, anti-tank pimples, and anti-tank gun emplacements were installed in the park to help protect London, in case of a German invasion. Many of these relics remain in the park today.

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. II, p. 16, 1855.

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Not Listed

Past Seat / Home of: Sir John Aislabie, 1725-30. Charles Child, 18th century. Thomas Orby Hunter, until 1769. Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Rich, 5th Bt., until 1785. John Poulett Thomson, early 19th century. George Thomas Nicholson, 1832-58. Thomas Darnley Anderson, 1870-94; Charles Rupert Anderson, 1894; Rupert Darnley Anderson, 1894-1944.

Current Ownership Type: Charity / Nonprofit

Primary Current Ownership Use: Mixed Use

Ownership Details: Owned by CWR and used as a conference center and offices.

House Open to Public: By Appointment

Phone: 01252-784-733

Fax: 01252-784-732

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.waverleyabbeyhouse.org.uk

Historic Houses Member: No