One of 16 country houses or 'flak homes' which catered for approximately 25 airmen at a time to come for Rest and Recuperation away from the stress of flying missions. Run by the American Red Cross, each serviceman was entitled to at least one rest period during their 25-30 mission tours. The front lawn was turned into a basketball court.



The original Tudor building (dating from before 1600) was destroyed by Scottish Presbyterians allied with the Royalists forces around 1651 so the owner, Sir Robert Berkeley , converted the stables to a house. This was replaced with a gracious Palladian mansion in the early 1800s. Edward Elgar, the composer, used to stay at a cottage in the grounds. The Park was to have been used by Winston Churchill and his cabinet if London became to dangerous, but was never used in this capacity.