Upton House

Upton House, located near Banbury in Oxfordshire, is an impressive country mansion with a storied history and stunning gardens. This stately home, managed by the National Trust, offers visitors a glimpse into the life of the upper echelons of society in the early 20th century.

The house itself was built in the late 17th century but underwent significant transformations in the 1920s under the ownership of Walter Samuel, 2nd Viscount Bearsted. Lord Bearsted, a wealthy philanthropist and avid art collector, transformed Upton House into a luxurious family home. He was also the chairman of Shell Oil, and his wealth is reflected in the opulence of the mansion’s interiors.

One of the most striking features of Upton House is its extensive art collection. Lord Bearsted’s passion for fine art is evident throughout the mansion, where visitors can admire works by renowned artists such as El Greco, Bosch, Stubbs, and Hogarth. The house also boasts an impressive collection of porcelain and tapestries, adding to its grandeur and historical significance.

The library at Upton House is particularly noteworthy. It is home to a vast collection of rare books and manuscripts, providing a fascinating insight into the literary interests of its former owners. The room itself is elegantly furnished, creating an atmosphere of scholarly sophistication.

The gardens at Upton House are equally remarkable, offering a serene and picturesque retreat. Designed by Kitty Lloyd Jones in the 1930s, the gardens feature terraced lawns, colourful herbaceous borders, and a tranquil water garden. The grounds also include a kitchen garden that provides produce for the house, reflecting the estate’s self-sufficiency and attention to detail in both aesthetics and function.

Visitors to Upton House can explore the various rooms and gardens through guided tours or at their own pace. The National Trust often hosts special events, exhibitions, and activities for all ages, making it a family-friendly destination. The on-site café and gift shop offer refreshments and souvenirs, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

In addition to its public appeal, Upton House plays a role in education and conservation. The National Trust is dedicated to preserving the house and its collections for future generations, ensuring that Upton House remains a valuable cultural and historical asset.

Upton House in Banbury is a captivating destination that offers a unique blend of art, history, and natural beauty. Its well-preserved interiors, magnificent art collection, and stunning gardens make it a must-visit location for anyone interested in England’s rich heritage and the lifestyle of the country’s historic elite.

Upton House History

Upton House, located near Banbury in Oxfordshire, is an illustrious country mansion with a deep-rooted and varied history that reflects the evolution of English country estates over several centuries. The origins of Upton House trace back to the late 12th century when Upton, then a township within the parish of Ratley, was owned by the Arden family. By the 14th century, ownership had passed to the de Upton family, who held the estate until the late 15th century.

In the early 16th century, around 1500, the medieval village of Upton was enclosed for sheep farming, resulting in the demolition of the existing houses. It was around this time that Sir William Danvers acquired Upton, and his family retained ownership until the late 17th century. Sir William constructed a substantial house on the estate, but by 1678-1679, financial difficulties forced his heir to sell the property to Simon Archer of Tysoe. Archer later sold it to Sir Rushout Cullen, a London merchant, in 1688.

Sir Rushout Cullen undertook significant redevelopment of the estate, rebuilding the house by 1695 and creating formal gardens, which necessitated the purchase of additional land around 1695. Upon Cullen’s death in 1732 without an heir, the property was sold to William Bumstead, another London merchant, who further enhanced the house and developed the park with guidance from his neighbour, Sanderson Miller of Radway Grange.

Following Bumstead’s death in 1757, Upton was sold to the banker Francis Child of Osterley Park. Francis and his son, Sir Robert, used Upton primarily as a hunting lodge rather than a main residence, implementing only modest changes advised by Sanderson Miller. The estate’s layout during this period was documented in an estate map of 1774. After Sir Robert Child’s daughter eloped with the Earl of Westmorland in 1782, Upton was held in trust for his granddaughter, Sarah Sophia, who married George Villiers, the fifth Earl of Jersey, in 1804. The estate saw limited occupancy by the family and was often let out during the 19th century.

In 1894, Lord Chesham purchased the estate, followed by Andrew Motion, chairman of the Cannon Brewery, in 1898. The most transformative period for Upton House came in 1927 when it was acquired by Walter Samuel, the second Viscount Bearsted. Lord Bearsted, who had previously bought the nearby Sunrising House in 1918, derived his wealth from the Shell Transport and Trading Company, founded by his father.

As a philanthropist, art collector, and influential member of the Anglo-Jewish community, Lord Bearsted commissioned Percy Morley Horder to remodel Upton House between 1927 and 1929. The gardens also saw significant enhancements under the supervision of Kitty Lloyd Jones. Upton House became a repository for Lord Bearsted’s substantial art collection, and upon his death in 1948, he bequeathed the house and gardens to the National Trust.

The third Viscount Bearsted continued to reside at Upton until his death in 1986, after which his daughter succeeded him. Between 1988 and 1990, a new family home, Upton Viva, was constructed to the southeast of Upton House, designed by Julian Bicknell. As of 1999, Upton House remains in divided ownership, with the National Trust maintaining the historic mansion and its surrounding gardens.

Today, Upton House is a significant cultural and historical asset, attracting visitors with its rich history, magnificent art collection, and beautifully maintained gardens. The estate offers a unique glimpse into the lives of its various owners and the architectural and landscape transformations that have occurred over the centuries.

Grade ii* listed Upton House

Grade ii* listed Upton House, located near Banbury in Oxfordshire, is a distinguished country mansion with a storied past, showcasing the evolution of English country estates over centuries. Its origins trace back to the late 12th century when the township of Upton was owned by the Arden family. By the 14th century, the estate had passed to the de Upton family, who maintained possession until the late 15th century.

Around 1500, significant changes occurred when the medieval village of Upton was enclosed for sheep farming, leading to the demolition of the village houses. During this period, Sir William Danvers acquired the estate and built a substantial house. The Danvers family retained ownership until financial difficulties forced his heir to sell the property in 1678-1679 to Simon Archer of Tysoe. Archer subsequently sold it to Sir Rushout Cullen, a London merchant, in 1688.

Sir Rushout Cullen’s redevelopment of Upton House began in earnest with the rebuilding of the house by 1695, along with the creation of formal gardens, necessitating the purchase of additional land. After Cullen’s death in 1732, the estate was sold to William Bumstead, another London merchant, who made further enhancements to the house and park with advice from his neighbour, Sanderson Miller of Radway Grange.

In 1757, following Bumstead’s death, Upton was sold to Francis Child of Osterley Park, a banker who, along with his son Sir Robert, used the estate primarily as a hunting lodge. They implemented only modest changes, guided by Sanderson Miller, with the estate’s layout documented in a 1774 map. After Sir Robert Child’s daughter eloped with the Earl of Westmorland in 1782, Upton was held in trust for his granddaughter, Sarah Sophia, who married George Villiers, the fifth Earl of Jersey, in 1804. Throughout the 19th century, the estate was often let out while the family resided elsewhere.

In 1894, Lord Chesham acquired the estate, followed by Andrew Motion, chairman of the Cannon Brewery, in 1898. The most transformative period for Upton House began in 1927 when it was purchased by Walter Samuel, the second Viscount Bearsted. A philanthropist, art collector, and prominent member of the Anglo-Jewish community, Lord Bearsted commissioned Percy Morley Horder to remodel the house between 1927 and 1929, and the gardens were enhanced under Kitty Lloyd Jones’s supervision.

Upton House became a repository for Lord Bearsted’s extensive art collection, and upon his death in 1948, he bequeathed the house and gardens to the National Trust. The third Viscount Bearsted continued to reside at Upton until his death in 1986, after which his daughter succeeded him. Between 1988 and 1990, a new family home, Upton Viva, was constructed to the southeast of Upton House, designed by Julian Bicknell. As of 1999, Upton House remains in divided ownership, with the National Trust maintaining the historic mansion and its gardens.

Today, Upton House stands as a significant cultural and historical asset, attracting visitors with its rich history, magnificent art collection, and beautifully maintained gardens. The estate offers a unique glimpse into the lives of its various owners and the architectural and landscape transformations that have shaped its legacy over the centuries.

Created: 9  June  2024  Edited: 17  September  2024