Photo: Saint Hill Manor by Martyn Davies, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Saint Hill Manor is a Grade II listed historic house in West Sussex, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About Saint Hill Manor
Saint Hill Manor is a Grade II listed country house built in 1792, located near East Grinstead in West Sussex.
The estate comprises extensive landscaped grounds including woodland and lakes.
It is best known today as the British headquarters of the Church of Scientology, acquired by the organisation's founder L.
Ron Hubbard.
The house is a member property of Historic Houses.
While the grounds are free to walk during opening hours, the manor interior can only be seen by appointment or on specific open days.
Read more on WikipediaHistory of Saint Hill Manor
The manor was built in 1792 and passed through several private owners over the following century and a half. In the 1950s it was bought by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, and it has served as the Church of Scientology's British headquarters ever since. The property has drawn regular public protests, including a 2024 bid by the organisation for a council-imposed protection order against demonstrators, which was later withdrawn.
Architecture of Saint Hill Manor
Saint Hill Manor is a Grade II listed Georgian country house dating from 1792.
Worth knowing
The manor's best-known association is with L. Ron Hubbard, who bought the house and turned it into Scientology's UK headquarters, a role it still holds. It has also been a long-running site of public protest, with a 2024 council dispute over demonstrators making local news.
Gardens & grounds at Saint Hill Manor
The grounds include landscaped gardens, woodland and lakes, and are free to walk during ordinary opening hours.
Facilities
Plan your visit to Saint Hill Manor
Nearest station: Kingscote (Bluebell Railway) (0.9 miles)
Places to visit near Saint Hill Manor
Borde Hill Garden
View Borde Hill Garden on heritage mapSheffield Park Garden
View Sheffield Park Garden on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Saint Hill Manor there are 2 historic properties, including 1 historic building and 1 historic house, across Historic Houses and National Trust sites.
Within 10 miles of Saint Hill Manor there are 8 historic properties, including 4 historic houses and 2 historic buildings, across Historic Houses and National Trust sites.
Within 20 miles of Saint Hill Manor there are 36 historic properties, including 14 historic houses, 13 historic buildings and 2 castles, across Historic Houses, National Trust and English Heritage sites.
Facts
A Georgian manor turned Scientology headquarters, its grounds open to walk even when the house is not.
- Type
- historic house
- Location
- West Sussex, England
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