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Fernhill Park
Winkfield, Berkshire

The spectacular Fernhill Park is a Grade II Listed mansion set in the middle of over 200 acres of glorious, unspoilt parkland on the edge of Windsor Great Park. The original house at Fernhill is believed to have been built before 1700, but was greatly remodelled in the early 18th Century, probably for the Claytons, by the architect, John Thorpe. Later, it was the last Berkshire home of the ancient Knollys family, descendants of Sir Francis Knollys, Treasurer of Queen Elizabeth I's Royal Household. 

Further alterations were made to the house in the 19th and mid 20th Centuries. Around 1815, it had been bought by Sir Thomas Metcalfe, who instigated the Fernhill stakes at Ascot Races. His son and successor, Charles Theophilus Metcalfe, was created Lord Metcalfe for his services as Governor-General of India, Jamaica and Canada. He died near Basingstoke (Hampshire) in 1846 but was buried in Fernhill's parish church at Winkfield.

After becoming the residence of the Gilliat and Ravenhill families in the Victorian era, in the early 20th Century, the house was owned by Colonel Arthur Waite. His wife, Irene, was the daughter of Baron Austin, founder of the Austin Motor Company. Colonel Waite was a pioneer motorist who specialised in racing Austin's, winning the Italian Grand Prix in 1923 and the Australian Grand Prix in 1928.

Fernhill Park is a private residence.
Only its gates can be seen off the Fernhill Roundabout, at the entrance to Windsor Great Park.

Fernhill Park was last offered for sale by Knight Frank & Harrods Estates.

 

    © Nash Ford Publishing 2002. All Rights Reserved.