The garden front and the older flint and stone wing, seen across the terrace balustrade
Location guide: period productions

A Tudor house, reshaped across four centuries.

Begun in 1539 on the site of a medieval priory, and changed by almost every century since.

For period work

This house does not belong to one period. Its building history is documented, which helps a production designer looking for a particular century, or for a house that has plainly lived through several.

Begun 1539The oldest range, in flint and Totternhoe stone, survives.
Grade II* listedThe house, within a Grade II registered park and garden.
About 1910The formal garden and pergola walk.
Priory siteA Benedictine priory was founded here in 1145.
1539Documented

The Tudor range

Humphrey Bourchier built a house beside the site of the priory church in 1539 to 1540, in flint with Totternhoe stone. That range survives as the oldest part of the house.

The older flint and stone wing beside the brick garden front
Flint and stone chequerwork on the oldest wing.
c. 1600Documented

Jacobean and Stuart brick

The Ferrers family added the south range around 1600. In the middle of the seventeenth century Thomas Coppin remodelled the house in brick, with two stair towers.

The gravel forecourt leading between clipped yew hedges to the arched gatehouse
The forecourt and arched gatehouse.
c. 1734Documented

A Georgian front

In about 1734 John Coppin gave the west range a classical front.

1825Documented

Turrets and gables

In 1825 to 1826 the architect Robert Lugar remodelled the house for Daniel Goodson Adey, drawing it into a compact block with corner turrets. It was damaged by fire in 1840. In the early twentieth century Sir John Pennefather moved the entrance to the north.

The garden front of the house seen across the lawn and formal garden
The garden front today.
c. 1910Documented

The Edwardian garden

The park was laid out in the early nineteenth century. Around 1910 George Dillistone made the formal garden, including a brick and timber pergola through the walled garden. His design was published in 1913 by Gertrude Jekyll and Lawrence Weaver.

The brick and timber pergola walk, with climbing roses in flower
The pergola walk.
On a recce

Know what the camera will see.

The house is being restored, and interiors are shown by private viewing. Sight lines, modern features and any work in progress are walked through on a recce.

A story set here

The Wicked Lady.

The legend of Katherine Ferrers, the highwaywoman who rode out from this house by night, has been told on screen more than once.

Read the story of the Wicked Lady

Sources: Historic England, National Heritage List for England, entries 1173939 (Cell Park) and 1000915 (Markyatecell Park). The full history of Markyate Cell.

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