Pythouse

In about 1225 the land was given to the Pyt family (pronounced pit) by the abbess of Shaftesbury. Until about 1651 the Pyts lived on the estate, until they were forced to sell in order to pay fines levied against them by Parliament following the Civil War, as they had supported the Royalists in the war. At this time the family name had been changed to Bennett, maybe as homage to the Benedictine Abbey of Shaftesbury. After the Civil war, the house was bought by the Grove family, friends of the Pyt/Bennett family. In about 1707 the Groves sold it to the Benett family, who were related to the original Bennetts by marriage. About 1725 the current Pythouse was built, replacing an earlier Elizabethan house. In 1805 the house was altered by John Benett (1773–1852), the owner and amateur architect, who "Palladianized" it with the help of architect Thomas Hopper. In 1891, rear service wings were added. == 20th and 21st centuries ==

The house remained in the Benett family until the mid-1950s, when death duties forced its sale. The house was then owned for 46 years by the Country Houses Association, a charity which ran it as a retirement home. In 1966 the house was designated as Grade II* listed In 2004 Pythouse (together with of land) was sold for £7 million and is once more a private home. The House and estate is not open to the public, but to the SE of the House is Pythouse Kitchen Garden with public access to a 3-acre walled garden with parking, restaurant, bar, and an area with plants producing vegetables and fruit for the restaurant. The estate was listed for sale with Knight Frank in June 2023 for an asking price of £18,000,000. == Bibliography ==