Shillinglee

Shillinglee is a 18th-century house and estate in West Sussex, near the Surrey border, in between the villages of Chiddingfold and Plaistow.

Built in 1785, Shillinglee was the home of the Earl Winterton and was originally a Manor of the Arundel Estate, which belonged to the Norfolk Family.

Records exist of 19th century cricket matches played in the grounds, against neighbouring villages. [http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/1840S/1847/ENG_LOCAL/GODLAMING_SHILLINGLEE_06SEP1847.html] [http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/1850S/1855/ENG_LOCAL/SURREY-MIL_SHILLING_13AUG1855.html] . Both Edward Turnour, 4th Earl Winterton and Edward Turnour, 5th Earl Winterton were first-class cricketers.

Around the start of the 20th century, Shillinglee was the summer residence of the Indian Prince Ranjitsinhji, reckoned to be one of the greatest cricketers of all time. He was presumably a guest of the Earl, who at various times was President and Chairman of Sussex CCC. [http://www.sussexcricket.co.uk/the-club/club-history/club-officials/]

During the Second World War, the house was occupied by Canadian forces, who accidentally burnt the house down! This was around January 1943 according to a report by a Canadian Soldier [http://web.mala.bc.ca/davies/Letters.Images/Bull/collection.htm]

The shell of Shillinglee House has been rebuilt and now consists of private residences. The former grounds once included a public golf course but this has now closed.

External links

* [http://web.mala.bc.ca/davies/Letters.Images/Bull/collection.htm Description of the fire by a Canadian Soldier]