Lord of the Manor 

Born in Northumberland, Brown worked on over 250 landscapes in his lifetime, including the gardens at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire and Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, and was Master Gardener at Hampton Court Palace for King George III.

He chose patrons with wealth who allowed him the freedom to put his revolutionary ideas into practice, utilising invention and a massive workforce to sculpt land, engineer water, plant in swathes and clumps, frame views and create vistas which appear so natural it can be hard to distinguish where his changes lie.

Brown spent the later part of his life living between his property in London and The Manor House in Fenstanton in Cambridgeshire – a Grade II* listed home currently on the market through our Cambridge office.

Originally built in 1680, Brown is believed to have been given The Manor House in 1767 when he acquired the title Lord of the Manor of Fenstanton and Hilton from the Earl of Northampton in payment for his work improving the gardens at Castle Ashby.

Although retaining a base in the capital he used The Manor House as his country retreat until his death in 1783.

He is buried in the nearby churchyard and there is also a monument to him and his wife, Bridget, in the local church.

Lasting legacy

Situated in the oldest part of the village and overlooking Chapel Green, The Manor House retains a wealth of original features, including a distinctive double plank front door with strap hinges enriched with hand-carved batons, incised geometric detailing, and fleur-de-lys hinges.

Inside, the house is both well-balanced and full of character, enhanced with the installation of a bespoke shaker-style kitchen and a striking oak-framed orangery giving panoramic views across the gardens.

While not designed by Brown, the gardens at The Manor House are notable in their own right – previously opened to visitors as part of the National Gardens Scheme and also featuring in a book titled The Secret Gardens of East Anglia.

Beautifully mature and well-stocked with shrubs, herbaceous plants, fruit trees and an avenue of Himalayan Birch alongside a range of gravelled paths and a number of carefully designed vistas, there is also a lawned area with two mature apple trees believed to have been planted by Brown.

Owner of The Manor House Nigel Ferrier describes living at the property as a privilege and complete joy. “There are very few opportunities in life to own a home with such character and provenance,” he says.

“We have enjoyed the restoration of all the original features which now add to the relaxed feel of the property. The gardens have given us immense pleasure and we never tire of sitting in the shade of one of the apple trees that Brown planted.”

Brown’s contributions to landscape design not only redefined the accepted conventions of the day – they left a lasting legacy still very much in evidence today. The Manor House is a rare opportunity to follow in his footsteps and own a home with strong links to one of England’s horticultural greats.

Further information

Contact Ben Smith