Fairlawne

In 1722, the poet Christopher Smart was born on the Fairlawne (spelt Fairlawn at that time) estate, where his father, Peter Smart, was the estate steward and Christopher was a playmate of the Vane children. After Peter died in 1733, the Vane family furthered his education by gifts and bequests, enabling him to attend Durham School in northeast England, where he spent his vacations at nearby Raby Castle, another home belonging to the Vanes. The poet had fond memories of Fairlawne, whose remembered beauties are praised in his poems The Hop-Garden and Jubilate Agno. Lord William Vane was the last Vane to live at Fairlawne, and upon his death the estate passed to his cousin David Papillon, who…

Fairlawne was rebuilt for Sir Henry Vane the Elder in 1630–55, based on an earlier house. Succeeding generations built additions to the house that were completed in 1723 with the help of James Gibbs, architect of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Ditchley House, and other notable buildings. More additions were made to Fairlawne in the Victorian era, but these were removed in 1954.