Family

The Cheyne family where in possession for some 300 years, and part of the house still dates to that period.

Anne Sapcote inherited the house, then married her 3rd husband Sir John Russell around 1526 (he later became the 1st Earl of Bedford). Chenies Manor then passed into the hands of the Russell family, and most of the house dates to the Tudor period.

When the 12th Duke of Bedford, Hastings Russell, died, property was sold to pay towards the tax duty owed, which is how Chenies Manor came into the possession of the present MacLeod Matthews family.

Chenies Manor and Gardens were bought in 1950s by Colonel and Mrs Macleod Matthews, and they are the first family since the 17th Century to live in the house as a whole. Their son, Charles, his wife Boo and their daughter Francesca (pictured above), continue the tradition of caring for the historic house and stunning gardens. 

Over the last near 70 years, much repair and restoration work has had to be carried out. Roofs have been renewed, chimneys and window frames repaired, and about 2 ½ tons of rubble cleared from the Medieval undercroft and above.

Elizabeth Macleod Matthews started a programme of restoring the gardens to their formal glory, a tradition her daughter in law, Boo, has continued with new blooms and colour combinations each year.

If you would like to find out more details on the history of this fascinating home, then join us for a guided tour.