ESTATE FOR ALL SEASONS

'A History of Cobham Park, Surrey and Its Owners and Occupiers', this entertaining book tells the absorbing stories of the colourful characters whose lives, actions and changing fortunes all helped make Cobham Park 'an estate for all seasons'. In 1806, Harvey Christian Combe, brewer and Lord Mayor of London, decided to establish himself as a country gentleman and purchased the estate. His family played a significant role in the development of the village into a small town over the past two centuries. 'Young Harvey', his son, was a typical Regency gentleman farmer, who enjoyed hunting and the turf. His sister built new schools and provided clean water for Downside. Later their nephew Charles reigned as 'squire' of Cobham for nearly 60 years, and during this time he rebuilt the house. Despite agricultural depression, heavy taxation and pressures to sell, the family have retained the estate and today Dominic Combe, three times great-grandson of Harvey Combe is restoring the parkland to its 19th century glamour. Recent excavations have revealed occupation of the site from the Anglo-Saxon period, and before it became Cobham Park in the 18th century, the land had many fascinating owners and occupiers, including a fishmonger granted land for his 'faithful services' to Chertsey Abbey, a royal officer under Henry VIII, an apothecary to Elizabeth I, the Suttons who had links with the famous episode of Gerrard Winstanley, and a gentleman of Charles II's 'prvye chamber'. In 1728 the estate was purchased by John Bridges who based the first mansion on Palladio's Villa Zeno, with architect Roger Morris and Lord Ligonier, a Huguenot refugee who became Commander-in-Chief of the British Army succeeded him. Very well illustrated with archive photos and facsimile reprints and colour portraits and colour maps. 100 glossy pages, 19 x 25.5cm. A now rare 2006 Phillimore publication with original cover price.