Both
Edward Turnour, 4th Earl Winterton and
Edward Turnour, 5th Earl Winterton were first-class cricketers and the Turnour family hosted cricket matches within the extensive parkland of the estate. Records document 19th-century
cricket matches played in the grounds, against neighbouring villages. At the start of the 20th century Shillinglee was the summer residence of the Indian Prince
Ranjitsinhji, reckoned to be one of the greatest
cricketers of all time, who was presumably a guest of Earl Winterton, who at various times was President and Chairman of
Sussex County Cricket Club. The grounds formerly contained a public golf course. ==Destruction and rebuilding==