Horselunges Manor

Horselunges Manor is a 15th-century manor house in Hellingly, East Sussex, that was restored in the 20th century. The house was previously owned by Peter Grant, the manager of Led Zeppelin, and featured in the film The Song Remains the Same about the band. Horselunges Manor is a Grade I listed building.

History

Horselunges manor flooded in October 2000 causing the house to be unhabitable for two years

Horselunges Manor was built in the late 15th century by John Devenish,^[1] whose family owned the house for a number of generations.^[2] The house is situated in Hellingly, East Sussex, around 300 metres (0.19 mi) from the parish church^[3] and 2 miles (3.2 km) from Hailsham.^[2] The name may have come from the phrase "Hurst-longue", which means "entrance into the wood".^{[4][dubious – discuss]}

In 1541, Thomas Fiennes, 9th Baron Dacre and his men were involved in an incident whilst poaching^[5] near to Horselunges Manor,^[6] during which a servant was killed.^[5] Fiennes was hanged for the crime.^[5] In the 20th century, Peter Grant, the manager of English rock band Led Zeppelin, lived at the house.^[7] He paid £80,000 for the house, and spent an additional £10,000 on renovating the property.^[6] The house featured in the film The Song Remains the Same about Led Zeppelin,^[7][6] and Grant suggested basing Swan Song Records at Horselunges Manor.^[8] In the 20th century, the estate was managed by Alfred Linforth Pitman, a veteran of the Battle of Dunkirk.^[9][10] In 1952, the house became a Grade I listed building,^[1] and it is currently a private residence.^[11]

Architecture

Horselunges Manor is built of

The west side of the estate has a walled garden; historically, the south side of the manor also had a walled garden, though the walls no longer exist. In the 20th century, there was a topiary garden, the remnant of which exist nowadays.^[3]

References