Ashburnham Place

Ashburnham Place is a country house in East Sussex where only the south facade survives, standing within gardens laid out by the renowned landscape designer Lancelot Brown. The property features three lakes and broad parkland that extend around the remaining building.

The original residence was built in 1665 by John Ashburnham, but the architect Stephen Wright oversaw a complete neo-Palladian redesign between 1757 and 1761. This 18th-century transformation gave the house the refined style that defined it until the 20th century.

The estate once held one of England's finest private collections of hand-illuminated manuscripts that drew scholars and collectors from across the country. These rare books made the place a destination for those interested in medieval art and craftsmanship.

The property is managed by the Ashburnham Christian Trust as a retreat center that offers accommodation and meeting spaces year-round. Access may be limited, so it is advisable to contact ahead before planning a visit to the grounds.

Sections of the original dining room were preserved and are now on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This allows visitors to see fragments of the house's interior craftsmanship in a museum setting.