Where it all began

1850

By now, Ley and North Grounds were Mr. Bailey's, and Lee Abbey as we know it today was built. Gothic style was definitely in fashion, and the house was just the ticket. Where the Dining Room now is there was a huge conservatory, and the Octagonal Lounge was the music room. Squire Bailey carved some of the wood in the Library and Small Lounge fireplaces, and was also responsible for a lot of the trees and paths you see there today.

1924

Two companies bought Lee Abbey and tried to run it as a hotel, building many bedrooms and two golf courses. Both of them went bankrupt, war broke out, and there was just no market for a remotely located, expensive golfing hotel here.

1939

At this point it was time for another change, and Lee Abbey became the new location for an evacuated boys' school. As far as we know, there's nothing left from them in the place...