Steepleton House

The estate features sinuous walks, a dammed lake with cascades, undulating parkland, and mid-18th-century walled gardens.

It was inherited by Peter Beckford (author of Thoughts on Hunting who kept the first organised pack of foxhounds at Steepleton kennels) following his return from the Grand Tour with the teen musical savant Muzio Clementi, whose early sonatas were composed there.

The estate passed to his son William Beckford who became 3rd Baron Rivers. Thereafter his son Lt-Colonel George Pitt Rivers leased the house to Sir Hadley D’Oyly.

Gertrude Pitt, his daughter, later sold the estate in 1917 to Sir Randolph Baker of the neighbouring estate Ranston, which separated ownership of the parish farm, the old gate house and a part of the park.

The house, together with the majority of the park, has remained in private hands and in 1985 it was bought by the late Derek Coombs and his wife Jennifer.

Their son Jack and his wife Lucinda have recently undertaken a significant restoration of the roof, interior and exterior of the main house and wings, as well as extensive works to return to use both the Beckford stables and 11th-century church.

The tour, taken by the owners, will include looking round the grounds, walled garden, chapel and stables, then into the house to see the ground floor, including the library where Clementi played, followed by tea and cake.