Wormsley Estate

Wormsley's history as an Estate dates back to the 12th Century, although it has only changed hands twice since it was bought by the Scrope family in 1574.Click here to read the full history of Wormsley.

The Getty family's tenure began in 1984 with Sir Paul Getty' laying plans for a comprehensive restoration of Wormsley – including the many houses, the agricultural enterprise and the woods.

Unspoilt Natural Beauty

Although only 40 miles from Hyde Park Corner, Wormsley thrived once again as a place of extraordinary rural beauty and became the centre of the initiative to re-establish red kites to their previously indigenous habitat in the Chilterns.

The Estate was farmed organically, a large deer park was established and a major programme of woodland re-planting was undertaken.

House & Library

As regards Wormsley House itself, the many additions which had been made to the Tudor core – chief amongst them the addition of the Georgian wing which forms today’s facade – had fallen into disrepair. The dilapidation was so serious that the entire house had to be substantially re-built, albeit on the exact footprint of the existing building.

The only significant addition has been the flint Library which was built on to the southern side of the house to house Sir Paul Getty’s exceptional collection of old books, manuscripts, bibles, atlases and bindings

The Library

The Walled Garden, originally laid out according to Richard Woods’ plan in around 1780, was completely renovated and re-planted following a design masterminded by Penelope Hobhouse.

Sport at Wormsley

During the Fane family’s era, the shoot at Wormsley was known to have some terrific drives. Those traditions were maintained by Sir Paul Getty but it was Mark Getty and his brother Tara’s investment in the shoot which has now enabled it to become one of the best shoots in the Chilterns, if not the whole of the South East of England.

The famous Wormsley cricket ground was created by Sir Paul Getty, with much help from Brian Johnston and others of Sir Paul’s many cricket-loving friends. The first game was held in 1992 and the ground has since played host to games involving most of the game's biggest stars of the last 25 years, including the likes of Brian Lara, Viv Richards and Shane Warne

The Arts

A major new chapter in the life of Wormsley has been opened with the arrival in 2011 of Garsington Opera at Wormsley.

In addition the family continues to build its collection of painting and sculpture at Wormsley.

Although Wormsley remains, above all, a place of private and quiet enjoyment for Mark Getty and his family, Mark would like the Estate’s beauty and resources to be enjoyed by a wider public as well.