Nymans, in West Sussex, was purchased by Lord Snowdon's great-grandfather Ludwig Messel (1847-1915) in the late 19th century. The house depicted in these drawings however is the house created by Oliver's father (and Lord Snowdon's grandfather) Colonel Leonard Messel in 1915. Designed by Sir Walter Tapper, it was the epitome of the early twentieth century vision of country house architecture and entertaining. Sadly the house suffered a disastrous fire in 1947 and was only ever partially rebuilt, the present lot possibly dating from around that time when Oliver suggested rebuilding, however his elderly parents following the Second World War, instead purchasing Holmsted Manor near Cuckfield . The house and its now famous garden were bequeathed to the National Trust in 1953.

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