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4 unusual facts about Mapledurham House


Caversham Lock

On the northern bank Mapledurham House comes into view as the river continues northwards towards Mapledurham Lock.

Mapledurham House

It is also reputed to have been the inspiration for E. H. Shepard's illustrations of Toad Hall for Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, although this is also claimed by Hardwick House.

It includes a late 18th century chapel built in the Strawberry Hill Gothic style for the Catholic owners of the house.

Oliver St John, 1st Viscount Grandison

He was the second son of Nicholas St John (ca. 1526 – 8 November 1589) of Lydiard Park in Wiltshire and Purley Park in Berkshire, by his wife Elizabeth (bef. 1542 – 1587), daughter of Sir Richard Blount of Mapledurham House in Oxfordshire, and Elizabeth Lister.



see also

John Goodyer

He worked as estate manager to Sir Thomas Bilson, of West Mapledurham House (demolished 1829), near Buriton, and also as agent for two Bishops of Winchester: Thomas Bilson (father of Sir Thomas Bilson) and later, Lancelot Andrewes.