The house has 16th-century origins, but was reshaped around 1838 by its then owner John.E.Lee to the design of Sir James Pennethorne. John Lee, who purchased the house, had been born John Hanning and had assumed the surname Lee on becoming the heir of his uncle Major Edward Lee (d.1819) of Orleigh Court, Buckland Brewer, North Devon. John Lee's brother-in-law and his tenant at Orleigh Court was William Speke of Jordans near Ilminster, father of the celebrated discoverer of the River NileJohn Hanning Speke.[7] It is now a Grade II* listed building.[1]
Dillington House was the country residence of George III's Prime Minister, Lord North who acquired it through marriage to Anne Speke.[8] The stables which were built in the 18th or early 19th century were remodelled in 1875 by George Nattress and later in the 1960s when the Coach House was converted into a theatre.[3] The two lodges adjacent to the main gate are also Grade II* listed and are in private ownership.[2]
In 1940, the 'Fortress Ilminster' project saw the area prepare for what was thought to be imminent invasion by the Nazis. The drive extending from the town, north toward Dillington House hosted tank barricades and concrete gun emplacements as part of the Taunton Stop Line. Remains of Fortress Ilminster can still be seen today and the drive is now a public footpath.[9]
In the spring of 2009 a new building, 'The Hyde', was opened, providing two studio spaces, additional dining accommodation and 15 fully accessible bedrooms. Designed by Tim Rolt and Dan Talkes of Purcell Miller Tritton, the building won the 2010 South-West Region Architecture Award from the Royal Institute of British Architects.[10]
Present use
Dillington House offers a range of day courses and residential short courses as well as a programme of public lectures. As well as being a hotel, it is also a venue for conferences and meetings, weddings and other private events. The residential accommodation is set in historic parkland and gardens.
In 2017, the House and Gardens were used as the location for a short documentary film, highlighting the national decrease in the numbers of Pembroke Welsh Corgis.[11]
In 2022 Somerset Council announced it would cease its association with Dillington House, ending activities at the historic building from September 2023. The much-loved 16th century venue hosted adult education courses, music events, weddings, conferences and other corporate events, but it had been struggling to make ends meet for more than a decade and was predicted to lose more than £500,000 over the 2022/2023 financial year. In September 2022, Somerset County Council decided to end its operations at Dillington House in a bid to prevent further losses for taxpayers. Now the venue, which has more than 30 staff, has confirmed "with heavy hearts" that it will close its doors in September 2023.
