text: Gatton Hall in Gatton, Surrey. The magnificent house is the centrepiece of the 600-acre park at Gatton, which has historical records dating as far back as 1086, when William the Conqueror’s half-brother, Bishop Odo of Bayeux, was listed as its owner in the Domesday Book. In later centuries it elected two members of Parliament, despite having no more than 20 qualified voters, making it one of the ‘rotten boroughs’ which were swept away by the Great Reform Act in 1832. The modern hall was built between 1934 and 1936, looking over beautiful gardens designed by landscape architect ‘Capability’ Brown in the 18th century. Tours will be available on Thursday, September 13