Swallowfield Park

Swallowfield Park is a country house with an H-shaped layout, featuring modest projections at the front and longer extensions toward the rear of the building. The structure has been converted into contemporary apartments while retaining its original architectural character.

Construction began in 1689 under Henry Hyde, the 2nd Earl of Clarendon, following his marriage to Flower Backhouse. The property subsequently changed hands and underwent different phases of use and modification over the following centuries.

The house displays a collection of portraits that reflect the lives of its former residents throughout the centuries. These paintings remain part of what visitors encounter when moving through the rooms today.

The site now functions as a residential complex, so access to the interior is limited. The external architecture can be viewed from the grounds, offering a clear sense of the building's form and layout.

A former owner acquired the estate in 1717 using wealth gained from selling a large diamond to a French duke. This unusual source of funding for an English country residence connects the property to broader international trade stories.