Great Oakley Estates

One of the few houses in the county where the continual family ownership extends back to the late medieval period, although the present house largely dates to the late 16th century when built for Thomas Brooke. It still presents that late Tudor aspect with it’s fine mullion windows, gabled ended roofs and tall chimney stacks. The central porch with it’s very distinctive fluted pilasters and balcony, decorated with shields, probably dates from some fifty years later. Through marriage in the 18th century the family gained property in Ireland, a revised surname, de Capell Brooke, and a Baronetcy, all in the person of Sir Richard de Capell Brooke. His descendants still live in the house and were responsible in 1893 for the rebuilding of the southern wing to create a fine new library. The design of this, and indeed of the internal painted decoration is due to Lady de Capell Brookes’ father, Bishop Trollope whose portrait now hangs proudly in the hall. The house is not normally open to the public but the exterior can be seen by those visiting the adjacent Medieval church, a building improved over the centuries by the family and which contains both their tombs and hatchments. Great Oakley Estates isn’t currently open to the public.