The beginnings

Sherfield and its manor are steeped in history. When the Doomsday Survey was conducted in 1086, the manor became part of the manor of Odiham. In the late twelfth century, it was given its independence by Henry II who granted the manor to his Marshall, William Fitz Aldelin. For the next few hundred years, the manor passed between noble families until 1572 when it was divided and sold as two lots. From then on, it changed hands frequently until 1838 when the estate was bought by the Duke of Wellington – an estate that once stretched over 250 acres including a deer park and farmland.

THE REBUILDING

In 1870 the original house, Archers Lodge, burnt down and was replaced with a second house called Buckfield Manor (named after the wood it was built from). The most influential and powerful owner, Lord James Benjamin Taylor, was responsible for the rebuilding of the present house in 1897 and re-naming it ‘Sherfield Manor’. The original Buckfield railway-like windows can still be seen in some areas of the house.

The beautiful staircase at Sherfield was carved in situ by Italian carvers who were paid a wage and an onion a day. The wonderful ceilings are rumoured to have come from a palace in Florence and the beautifully ornate glasshouses in the kitchen gardens were also commissioned by Lord Taylor. Many other original features can still be found around the existing manor including the dining room’s soft oak panelling with every panel carved differently.

THE RESIDENTS

Many fascinating characters have occupied Sherfield. Mr Paynton Pigott Stainsby Conant was the first resident. He was a very powerful landowner with fourteen children. Mr Bramstone Stane was very involved with the local church and paid towards its upkeep. Mr Charles Lethbridge, a local sheriff, and his family are photographed enjoying the grounds – skating on the lake and shooting pheasants in the woods. John and Emily Liddell lived in the manor from 1908 and were much loved by the locals – hosting the last ever Court Leet and Court Baron.

The manor was sold in 1926 to the 13th Earl of Winchilsea. The Earl sadly passed away the following year leaving the manor to his son. Finch-Hatton featured his brother Denys in the film ‘Out of Africa’ and it is written that Denys crashed into some trees when flying his plane at his brother’s estate in England.

MORE RECENTLY

The manor played its part in the second world war when it was rented out as a nurses’ home for the London nurses drafted in by the Ministry of Health for Basingstoke.

From 1947 to 2004 the house was occupied by North Foreland Lodge, an elite girls’ school. The property is currently owned by Global Education Management Systems (GEMS). Millions of pounds have been spent on restoring the buildings to their former glory and providing a world class premium school.