Cerney House was built in approximately 1660 by the Rich family; and occupied continuously until 1772. The house was originally built on three stories but was later substantially altered, possibly by James Burton, and remodelled in the Georgian manner in 1780. This is believed to be the consequence of a fire, however there is little record to substantiate this. The next owner, a Thomas Tynedale of Stroud, who is believed to have financed the remodelling, did not occupy the residence but let it to a Mr Price who married the daughter of the then Lord Strathmore.
It then passed into the hands of the Croome family in 1810 and remained with them until 1930. Inside the Ladies Chapel of North Cerney Church there are a number of memorials to members of the family, as this was the then private chapel for the owners of Cerney House. The house was altered many times from in the 18th and 19th centuries, with a service wing added and a conservatory.
It served as a hospital in the war, under the ownership of the De La Haye family, who moved to the top floor of the house in order to provide space. The financier Kenneth de Courcy occupied it, until it was sold for £25,000, in 1963. He once remarked that the house "bustled with politicians and foreign royalty".
The House's interior is now of a neo-classical form, with the entrance opening via an arch into a staircase hall with a cantilevered stone stair and 20th century wrought iron balustrade. Many of the 18th century features were removed in 1970, during alterations, including two niches in the entrance hall and a marble rococo chimneypiece in the drawing room. An electric lift was installed providing access to all three floors, and there is a huge wood-burning furnace, which provides extra heating to the house.
Sir Michael and Lady Angus purchased the house in 1983. Since moving to North Cerney they have added stables, a pool, extensively renovated Cerney Lodge (which was formerly the stables/garaging, and is now home to their daughter and head gardener Barbara McPherson), uncovered the icehouse and reformed the Gardens. The main garden is surrounded by a large Victorian wall and contains a Victorian green house and bothy. The gazebo was added as a joint anniversary present in the 1990's. When we arrived at the estate, the centre of the garden was a large lawn, where our sheep were first grazed. Lady Angus and Barbara have worked extensively since to remodel the garden to its former Victorian beauty.
Copyright Luke Johnson © 2002