In 1681, the estate was sold to the brewer John Parsons. It was divided into lots for sale in 1766; what became Nutfield Priory is a 93 acres (38ha) site bought by John Fowler. The estate was inherited by John Fowler Wood and sold to HEGurney, a Quaker, in 1854.[1]
In 1866, Gurney's firm Overend Gurney declared bankruptcy, owing £19 million. The estate was sold to the brewer James Watney, who in turn sold it to the member of parliament Joshua Fielden in 1869.[1] Fielden commissioned Gibson to design and build the present building, and held regular music recitals and events during his time there. He adhered to a rigid lifestyle, with guests not speaking to each other and following a predefined routine.[1][3]
Following Fielden's death in 1887, ownership of the priory passed to his wife Ellen. She sold the house in 1920, where it remained a private residence before being sold again to O Picton Davis in 1930, who converted it into a luxury hotel with a nine-hole golf course.[4]
The priory was commandeered by the British Army during World War II.[1] It was subsequently used as a school for the deaf, installing closed-circuit television to aid with teaching.[5][6] It was renovated as a hotel in 1989, restoring much of the original architecture.[2] It was Grade II listed in 2011.[1]
Architecture
View of the priory's neo-Gothic design
Gibson designed the house in a neo-Gothic manner in the style of the Palace of Westminster.[4] The priory is built from Kentish ragstone rubble and dressed with Reigate Stone.[1] It is composed of two storeys and an attic, with a tiled roof. A six-storey tower hangs over the main entrance on the north side, while there is a three-storey projection to the west.[1]
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