The estate has a rich history dating back to the time of the Doomsday Book, with ties to Walter Spec and the founding of Warden Abbey during the reign of King Stephen.

The estate passed through the hands of various owners, including Princess Elizabeth, Henry Prince of Wales, Sir Frances Bacon, and the Ongley family, who played a significant role in shaping the village and gardens.

The Shuttleworth family was involved in the engineering firm 'Clayton and Shuttleworth', which became world leaders in the production of steam traction engines and revolutionized the agricultural industry.

The estate features a Victorian house designed by architect Henry Clutton, interior furnishings by Gillows of Lancaster, and 19th-century paintings by renowned artists such as Sir Frank Dicksee and William Leader.