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Wiston house drive
Wiston House is a large 16th-century country house in Wiston, West Sussex which is now used by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as the European Discussion Centre.
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Originally built in two storeys to an irregular floor plan, substantial parts have since been demolished and replaced and additional wings added. It is a Grade I listed building.
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History
The house was built for Thomas Shirley in about 1576 and substantially enlarged by Edward Blore in the early 19th century. It was captured first by the Royalists and then by the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War. It was bought by Sir John Fagg in 1649 and then acquired by Sir Charles Goring, the husband of Fagg's great-granddaughter, in 1743. During World War II, the grounds were used as a camp by the 10th battalion Highland Light Infantry as they prepared for the Normandy landings.
Since 1951 the house has been the base of Wilton Park, an executive agency of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office providing a global forum for strategic discussion.
Wiston House is still owned by the Goring Family.
The church of St Mary
Close to the house (see at left in picture) is the Parish Church of St Mary, which is a Grade II* listed building. The church comprises a chancel, a south chapel, twin naves and a tower. Mainly dating from the 14th century it was heavily restored by architect Gordon MacDonald Hills in 1862. The south chapel contains a brass date 1426 to Sir John de Braose and the tombs of the Shirley family.