Brackley Manor House was a 17th-century Jacobean building that originally had only one storey plus attic dormers. In 1875-78 the Earl of Ellesmere who wanted the house for entertaining and hunting pursuits had it enlarged and rebuilt significantly. Whilst this was done in the original style of the building, only one doorway and one window (which can been seen today) remain from the original building.

In 1915 when the estate was sold after the death of the Earl, it was adapted and taken over by a girls’ school. Winchester House School, then an all boys preparatory school in the South East of England, wished to relocate from the on-going threat of German invasion and aerial bombardment across the South Coast. Moving far inland they initially took up residence in Brackley Lodge before moving into the Manor house in 1922.

Winchester House School has been on site ever since and, although the school has made many additions and alterations to keep pace with modern demands, the character and beauty of the building remains.

Winchester converted to a co-educational school in 1976.