Spye Park facts for kids
Spye Park is a special natural area in Wiltshire, England. It covers about 90 hectares (which is like 222 football fields!). It's called a Site of Special Scientific Interest because it's important for its plants and animals. The area is about 3 kilometers north of Bromham village. A historic house once stood here, close to an old Roman road. This house was sadly destroyed by fire twice, most recently in 1974. In 2005, a new owner planned to build a new house in the old Palladian style.
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The Story of Spye Park House
The first known owner of the house in the 1500s was Edward Baynton. He was a wealthy landowner who had also built Bromham House. People said Bromham House was almost as big as the royal palace of Whitehall!
Building and Early Owners
Edward Baynton's grandson, Sir Edward Baynton, built Spye Park House after his family's previous home, Bromham House, was destroyed in 1645 during the English Civil War. Sir Edward was married to Stuarta Thynne, whose family lived at Longleat.
The house stayed in the Bayntun family for a long time. Later, an heiress named Ann Baynton married Edward Rolt. Their son, Edward Rolt (who later changed his name to Edward Bayntun-Rolt), inherited the property. He was made a baronet in 1762, which is a special title.
His daughter, Maria Barbara Baynton, inherited the estate in 1816. Her son, John Edward Andrew Bayntun Starky, later owned it. However, the estate was sold in 1864 to pay off debts.
Fires and Rebuilding
In 1864, Major J.W.G. Spicer bought Spye Park House for a lot of money. It's said that the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII, offered even more money, but the owner refused. Major Spicer decided to tear down the old 17th-century house and built a new one between 1864 and 1868. This new house was made of red brick.
Sadly, this house also burned down in 1868, just a few years after it was built! It was rebuilt again by 1871, this time in a different style that looked like an old Tudor house. By 1939, the estate included about 500 acres of land.
In the 1930s, Captain Frank Fitzroy Spicer owned the house. He and his wife, Lady Avice Sackville-West, were good friends with Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. She often visited Spye Park in the 1950s.
The second house built by Major Spicer was destroyed by fire in 1974. Today, there are no signs of the grand Spye Park mansion. Even its foundations are now covered by grass. People say the Spicers decided to remove the ruins because they were badly damaged by dry rot, which got worse from the water used by firefighters.
The Spicer family, who had lived there for five generations, sold the estate in 2005.
New Owners Today
The Enthoven Family from South Africa bought Spye Park in 2005. They are known for owning the Nando's Chicken franchise and a large insurance company called Hollard Group.
Who Owned Spye Park?
Many families have owned Spye Park over the centuries. Here's a look at the main families who lived there:
The Bayntun Family
The Bayntun family owned the house from the 15th century. Sir Edward Bayntun built a new house around 1554. His descendants kept the house and estate until 1864. Sir Edward was a Member of Parliament for Wiltshire and other areas.
- 1654-1679: Sir Edward Bayntun (1618–1679). He was Sheriff of Wiltshire in 1664.
- 1679-1691: Henry Bayntun (1664–1691). He married Lady Anne Wilmot, daughter of the famous Restoration poet.
- 1691-1716: John Bayntun (1688–1716). He died without children, and the Bayntun male family line ended. His sister Ann inherited the estate.
The Bayntun-Rolt Baronets
This family took over after the Bayntun male line ended.
- 1716-1800: Sir Edward Bayntun-Rolt, 1st Baronet (died 1800). He inherited from his uncle, John Bayntun, and was made a baronet in 1762.
- 1800-1816: Sir Andrew Bayntun-Rolt, 2nd Baronet (1755–1816). He died without legitimate sons, and his eldest daughter inherited the estate.
The Bayntun-Starkey Family
Maria Barbara Bayntun Starkey inherited the estate.
- 1816-1841: John Bayntun Starkey (died 1841).
- 1841-1864: John Andrew Bayntun Starkey. He sold the house in 1855 and the entire estate in 1864.
The Spicer Family
The Spicer family owned Spye Park for over 140 years.
- 1864-1883: Major J.W.G. Spicer.
- In 1888: Captain John Spicer.
- In 1930s and 1950s: Captain Frank Fitzroy Spicer.
- In 1974: Simon Spicer, who was the fifth generation of the family to own the park. He sold it in 2005.
The Enthoven Family
- 2005-present: The Enthoven Family, who own Capricorn Ventures International and the Nando's Chicken Franchise.
