Set in a landscaped park with an ornamental lake, it is a home built originally in 1670 by architect William Samwell for Sir Robert Henley. It was remodelled in a Greek revival style by the architect William Wilkins in 1804 and 1809: this involved remodelling the 17th century house. The portico is of the Greek Doric columns, six in width and two deep, loosely based on the Parthenon.