Welcome to Stately Homes

Away from the distractions of town, business or busy hotels, Mapledurham is an oasis of peace, natural beauty and history which can be an ideal setting for small conferences, business meetings or corporate events. The grounds are ideal for parties, weddings and outdoor activities.

Activities within Mapledurham Estate can include clay pigeon shooting, archery, quad biking, and horse riding. There is also a championship length golf course locally. The location has been used for many film and television productions.

Mapledurham "the maple tree enclosure" appears in Doomsday as two manors, Mapledurham Gurney belonging to William de Warenne, while Milo Crispin, Lord of the Manor of Wallingford, owned the smaller Mapledurham Chazey.

The larger manor takes its name from Gerard de Gournay, to whom it passed as a marriage portion. It passed again by marriage in about 1270 to the Bardolfs, who were here for about 120 years, until the death in 1395 of Sir Robert Bardolf, esquire of the body to Edward III and Richard II and builder of the aisle, which bears his name. The manor passed in 1416 to his widow’s nephew, William Lynde, whose grandson sold it in 1490 to Richard Blount of Iver; it has belonged to his descendants ever since.

The Blounts claim descent from a Norman family, Le Blond, who came over with William the Conqueror. Richard Blounts great-grandfather, Sir Walter who married Sanchia de Ayala, a Spanish noblewoman, was Henry IV’s standard bearer at the Battle of Shrewsbury (1403); Shakespeare portrays his violent death in Henry IV, part 1.

His son, Sir Thomas (d.1456), was Treasurer of Normandy in the early years of Henry V’s reign; from his eldest son Sir Walter, 1st Lord Mountjoy (d.1474), sprang the line which ended so illustriously with the Earl of Devonshire (1563-1606). Richard Blount, purchaser of Mapledurham, was the son of Sir Thomas’ second son.

The Mapledurham estate was inherited by John Darell-Blount (1833-1908) in 1881, and then went to Edward Riddell, the grandson of his youngest sister who added the name of Blount to his own. Finally in 1943 it passed back to the family of John Darrell-Blount’s eldest married sister, Agnes Mary, wife of Charles John Eyston of East Hendred. Her grandson Thomas was killed in action in 1940 and the estate passed to his son John Joseph Eyston, the present owner.

Since 1960 he has restored the House, and once again it is a family home, where he lives with his wife, Lady Anne, daughter of the late Viscount Maitland, and their three children Edward, Katherine and Mary. For more about Mapledurham, do view their informative Website.

Watermill and Self Catering Cottages:

There has a been a mill on this site since Saxon times and the present building dates from the 15th century, making it the only surviving working watermill on the Thames. Seeing the traditional machinery in action is one of the highlights of your visit to Mapledurham. The wholemeal flour ground here and its by-products bran and semolina can be purchased in both the Mill Shop and the Gift Shop along with other mementos.

All the self catering cottages at Mapledurham are farm cottages which have been refurbished, whilst maintaining the individual character of each property. Some cottages are situated within the village of Mapledurham itself, and the others are located on the surrounding farms.

The cottages are comfortably furnished to Southern Tourist Board standards. Each has an electric cooker, microwave, refrigerator, colour television, immersion heater and free standing electric fires. For further information, visit their Website.

Opening Times - 2010:

11th April - 27th September: Saturday & Sunday, 2 - 5.30 pm (and Bank Holiday Sundays). Last admission 5 pm
Midweek parties by arrangement only (Tuesday - Thursday)

Admission Prices - 2010:

House Only:
Adult - £4.25
Child (5-16)- £2

Mill Only:
Adult - £3.25
Child (5-16) - £1.50

House and Mill:
Adult - £6.75
Child (5-16) - £3.