History of Watlington Hill

Wooden bench underneath a tree with green and yellow spring fields surrounding. — Bench under the shade of a tree at Watlington Hill, Oxfordshire | © National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole

Once a royal park, Watlington Hill was part of a wider estate in the 13th century.

A Royal Park

Watlington Hill was originally part of the nearby Watlington Park, an early 13th century royal park built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall. Charles I sold the land to William Stonor of nearby Stonor Park in 1632 in order to raise funds for his government. Around the middle of the 18th century it was sold to John Tilson, who built the mansion.

Donated to the National Trust

In the mid-20th century, the Esher family donated large parts of the estate to the National Trust, including Watlington Hill, Greenfield Copse, Lower Deans and Howe Wood. The mansion is privately owned. After careful management of the rare chalk grassland, Watlington Hill is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Large white chalk mark on hill overlooking green valley with settlement in the distance — The White Mark, Watlington Hill, Oxfordshire | © National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole

Watlington white mark

The Watlington white mark is a chalk earthwork cut into the hillside of Watlington Hill in the shape of a spire. This was designed by a local squire who felt that the parish church would be more impressive if it appeared to have a spire when viewed from his home. He had the chalk 'spire' cut into the hillside in 1764, and it continues to this day to be maintained by the local residents. The mark is 11m wide at its base and 82m long.

A view of the house Blickling Estate in Norfolk along with the lake and autumnal trees

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History of Coombe Hill

Once part of the Chequers Estate, Coombe Hill was given to the National Trust in 1918 by Lord & Lady Lee of Fareham. It features earthworks from prehistoric times and a Boer War Memorial.