to the Manor borne

This is Great Linford Manor, once the home of (or rather the site of the home of) an 11thC Norman conqueror. It’s passed through many hands in its thousand year history - the house in this form dates back to the early 18thC.  

In the 1970s it was purchased by the Milton Keynes Development Corporation for use as an arts centre.  In the 1980s it was sold and converted into a recording studio, one of the first digital studios in the UK.  Recording alumni include John Lydon, Trevor Horn and Sigue, Sigue Sputnik.

In the 1990s it became the family home of Pete Winkelman, chairman of MK Dons football club. 

The land and surrounding buildings (stables and such like) is owned by the Milton Keynes Parks Trust and is thus open to the public.  Which is why I can stand in the drive and blip away without being chased off by the Lord of the Manor.  Or his dog.

The grounds and ancillary buildings now form the Milton Keynes Arts Centre, hosting today, among other things, the exhibition of work by Anniemay’s photography course.  When I arrived she was in deep discussion with a group of wood turners who, coincidentally, happened to be showing off their wares this saturday morning. 

About 10 years ago the site hosted a music festival - the stage was located right in front of the house on the grass roundabout.  As it happens I was playing at that festival and thus looking out from the house rather than towards it.  I don’t remember the dog.