ABOUT THE ESTATE
Earnshill House is a Grade 1 listed Manor House, owned by the Combe family. The house was built between 1711 and 1731 with the substantial wings added by Richard Combe in about 1758. Richard’s Father, Henry Combe, was an influential Bristol merchant who became the Mayor of Bristol in 1740.
Family portraits dating back to the 17th century hang proudly on the walls and four levels of matching staircases rise in unison to the top of the house. Of particular note is the family portrait in the drawing room which shows Henry Combe with his son, Richard and daughter, Sarah. Richard is holding a golden snuff box set with diamonds presented to him by the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1738. The snuff box engraved with the memorable occasion is still in the family’s possession. Another notable painting shows the Duke of Wellington at a banquet raising his glass to the members of his most senior military ranks. The actual glass is on show with a hand written note of its authenticity.
The house is surrounded by 19 acres of woodland with its own private Grove and walled garden. The East Courtyard has three Coach Houses and nine stables, each with a brass name plate showing the horses that once resided there. The house stands at the highest point of the estate, surrounded by 700 acres. Ancient Oaks and Cedar trees stand tall over beautifully manicured lawns with the river Isle setting the estates northern border.
lawn tennis at
earnshill
Set in the grand entrance of Earnshill House and flanked on three sides is the croquet lawn. Based on written evidence from the early days, no other Estate has a better claim to being the place where the game of lawn tennis was first tested and developed by the Combe’s first cousin Walter Clopton Wingfield, the inventor of the game.
When Walter died in 1912 he left his estate to his first cousin Constance Combe along with the lawn tennis patent signed by Queen Victoria, and all of his possessions. Constance lived her whole life at Earnshill and never married. His uniform and patent can be seen at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Rhode Island. Walter is also on display at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club museum. The Centre Court restaurant at Wimbledon is named after him in his honour. His magnificent portrait hangs above the ornate fireplace at Earnshill along with Olive’s Wimbledon trophy.
