Who was the owner of Ditchley Park in Oxfordshire?

Ditchley Park is a country house and estate near Charlbury in Oxfordshire, England. The estate was once the site of a Roman villa. Later it became a royal hunting ground, and then the property of Sir Henry Lee of Ditchley, who had an estate there from 1583 on. He was visited there by Queen Elizabeth I. George Lee,…

Where is James Gibbs house in Ditchley Park?

Ditchley House (James Gibbs 1722, listed grade I) stands towards the centre of the park, at the south-east edge of the extensive pleasure grounds.

Who was the Lee family that lived in Ditchley Park?

The Lee family and their descendants, the Lee-Dillons, made Ditchley Park their home for three and a half centuries. The house is particularly likely to pique the interest of American visitors because it has both historic and current American associations.

Who was the former butler at Ditchley Park?

Ditchley’s former butler Mr Rick Fink runs a butler school at Ditchley to this day, training a new generation. Mr Ian Scott Hunter succeeded him serving Ditchley superbly for 16 years. Today guests are cared for by a team of staff under the leadership of those who have been trained by Rick or Ian.

When is Ditchley Park open to the public?

When not in use for conferences and other activities, the Mansion and grounds are open Monday-Friday to the public for visits, for which a small charge is made. These must be booked in advance, and are more suitable for those with an interest in 18th Century architecture, decorative art and landscapes.

When did Henry Lee and James I dine at Ditchley Park?

In September 1603 James I dined with Sir Henry Lee at Ditchfield. The present house was erected in 1722 for The 2nd Earl of Lichfield and was designed by James Gibbs. The fireplaces are by Edward Stanton and his partner Christopher Horsnaile. Occupants of the Ditchley estate have included:

When did Henry Lee of Quarrendon buy Ditchley?

In 1583 Sir Henry Lee of Quarrendon, near Aylesbury, Ranger of Woodstock Park, bought a house and land at Ditchley. In 1603 he acquired a license to enclose a substantial deer park and in 1608 and 1610 James I hunted at Ditchley.