Grittleton House
The Street, Grittleton, Chippenham SN14 6AP
Dating back to 1660, the first building on the site was a three-bay Jacobean manor. In 1828, Joseph Neeld purchased the 1,248-acre Grittleton estate from his friend, Colonel John Houlton. Neeld extended the estate and made it his principal residence. To this day, the local Grittleton pub bears his name — The Neeld Arms.
Joseph Neeld is largely responsible for the house as it stands today. His initials can still be seen in the grand entrance gates and in the ceiling of the soaring entrance hall. Between 1832 and 1840, architect James Thompson partly refaced and expanded the original manor. From 1852 to 1856, part of the old manor was demolished, and further additions made — initially by Thompson, then later by Henry Clutton, who took over the project in 1853.
An amateur botanist, philanthropist, and avid collector, Neeld amassed a notable library and art collection. Sadly, he died before the house was completed in 1856. With no legitimate heirs, the estate passed to his brother John, who oversaw its completion.
During the 1940s, Grittleton House was requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence and used to store historical documents — including, for a time, the Domesday Book. Foreign fighter pilots were also accommodated in the house, although their behaviour led to their eventual removal.
In 1948, a private girls’ school previously based at Doddington House (now owned by Sir James Dyson) relocated to the larger premises of Grittleton House.
In 1967, Joanna Shipp — who had run her own private day school at Rangeworthy Court since 1951 — visited Grittleton to purchase desks. She left with the desks — and the school. It was a bold and visionary move. Though full of charm and potential, the house was in a state of disrepair and required significant restoration. With dedication, hard work, and love, the Shipp family gradually brought the house back to life.
In 1988, Grittleton House was officially designated a Grade II* listed building.
Today, the Shipp family continues to operate Grittleton House, now exclusively as a wedding and events venue.