ROWFANT HOUSE, SUSSEX
THE HISTORY
The Grade II listed Manor House is a mixture of 15th, 16th, 18th and 19th century architecture. Until fairly recently the estate had been running functions and events including weddings, conferences and afternoon tea since the 1960s.
From 1848 -1962 the Estate was owned by the 'Locker-Lampson family'.
Frederick Locker Lampson had five children from two marriages.
Frederick’s son, Commander Oliver Stillingfeet Locker-Lampson also had a literary career in journalism before he was elected to the House of Commons as a Conservative Unionist in cc1910.
In cc1914 - Oliver received a commission in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve during WW1, and he served on the Western Front and in Russia, commanding the Russian armoured car squadrons.
During his travels in the Great War, Oliver became entwined in Russian politics, and there are stories circulating suggesting that he was asked to participate in the assassination of Rasputin.
Becoming close to the Tsar of Russia, he agreed to help smuggle him to safety in the West after abdication..
After the war, Oliver fought against fascism in both Britain and in Europe, serving with the Home Guard in WW2 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
He was one of the few Conservative politicians to support Churchill during the 1930s and they developed a trustworthy friendship.
While Oliver was in service, the Ministry of Defence requisitioned the Manor House and Churchill spent many hours there.
The building also ran as a care home - which looked after 17 elderly residents
The building was sold some time in 2020 however - it doesn't appear that anything has been touched since that day. Although we suspect a few other explorers have been here as we found books and photos set up for photograph compositions.
THE EXPLORE
We set of early in the day for a change, and had a couple of locations planned.. we had tried this place once before back in March 2023 but couldn't find a way in but since we were in the area - we decided to take another look ...luckily we did, because we soon found a way in.
Once inside we were greatest with a familiar mouldy scent that had lingered in the semi stale air for a while. We walk around doing the boring bits first ie toilets etc.. but soon came across the bar area and main entrance hall.. the woodwork derail was fantastic in areas including the fireplace surrounds and stair banisters etc.
The whole explore went fine right until we were about to go downstairs and finish taking photographs, that's when security turned up and we had to make a run for it.
We got plenty of great photographs although I was filming so most of my shots have been taken from the video as I didn't want to use the other guys photographs for this report
SUMMERY
All in all it was a great day out exploring, we left everything as we found it, and we are happy to have finally been able to see the inside for our selves.
An added bonus was there was zero graffiti or signs of vandalism.
Perfect.
THE HISTORY
The Grade II listed Manor House is a mixture of 15th, 16th, 18th and 19th century architecture. Until fairly recently the estate had been running functions and events including weddings, conferences and afternoon tea since the 1960s.
From 1848 -1962 the Estate was owned by the 'Locker-Lampson family'.
Frederick Locker Lampson had five children from two marriages.
Frederick’s son, Commander Oliver Stillingfeet Locker-Lampson also had a literary career in journalism before he was elected to the House of Commons as a Conservative Unionist in cc1910.
In cc1914 - Oliver received a commission in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve during WW1, and he served on the Western Front and in Russia, commanding the Russian armoured car squadrons.
During his travels in the Great War, Oliver became entwined in Russian politics, and there are stories circulating suggesting that he was asked to participate in the assassination of Rasputin.
Becoming close to the Tsar of Russia, he agreed to help smuggle him to safety in the West after abdication..
After the war, Oliver fought against fascism in both Britain and in Europe, serving with the Home Guard in WW2 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
He was one of the few Conservative politicians to support Churchill during the 1930s and they developed a trustworthy friendship.
While Oliver was in service, the Ministry of Defence requisitioned the Manor House and Churchill spent many hours there.
The building also ran as a care home - which looked after 17 elderly residents
The building was sold some time in 2020 however - it doesn't appear that anything has been touched since that day. Although we suspect a few other explorers have been here as we found books and photos set up for photograph compositions.
THE EXPLORE
We set of early in the day for a change, and had a couple of locations planned.. we had tried this place once before back in March 2023 but couldn't find a way in but since we were in the area - we decided to take another look ...luckily we did, because we soon found a way in.
Once inside we were greatest with a familiar mouldy scent that had lingered in the semi stale air for a while. We walk around doing the boring bits first ie toilets etc.. but soon came across the bar area and main entrance hall.. the woodwork derail was fantastic in areas including the fireplace surrounds and stair banisters etc.
The whole explore went fine right until we were about to go downstairs and finish taking photographs, that's when security turned up and we had to make a run for it.
We got plenty of great photographs although I was filming so most of my shots have been taken from the video as I didn't want to use the other guys photographs for this report
SUMMERY
All in all it was a great day out exploring, we left everything as we found it, and we are happy to have finally been able to see the inside for our selves.
An added bonus was there was zero graffiti or signs of vandalism.
Perfect.
Last edited:
