Geograph - photograph every grid square

Built in 1620 in the English Renaissance style, the design influenced by Inigo Jones. The house and estate were bought in 1717 by Major General James Stanhope, who the following year became the 1st Earl Stanhope. The house remained the seat of the Stanhopes until 1967, when on the death without issue of the 7th Earl it was bequeathed to the nation, with conditions on who should live there, namely someone of Royal lineage, or the Prime Minister or Cabinet Minister. The original intention was that it would become the residence of Prince Charles, but when he decided to live at Highgrove in Gloucestershire, it instead from 1980 became the official residence of the Foreign Secretary, starting with Lord Carrington. Under the 2010 coalition government it is shared between William Hague, Foreign Secretary, and Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister.

It is Grade I listed - for listing particulars see Link.