Around 1350, a hunting lodge was built on this land at the gateway of the Windsor Great Forest and it is recorded that King Edward III and King Richard II spent some time here. King Henry VIII first met Katherine of Aragon here, and in 1629, King Charles I granted William Trumbull I as "Keeper of Easthampstead Walk" and the lodge was integrated into a newly built mansion. In the 1860's the old house was demolished, leaving only a stable block which is still standing today. It was in 1858, that the 4th Marquis of Downshire began building the current mansion in Jacobean style. During WWII, the British Army made use of the Park, which attracted a salvo of German bombs down the driveway in 1941. The Park was sold to Berkshire County Council after the war. During the sale, a great fire destroyed the gable roof. The Mansion was subsequently used as a Teacher Training College. From the 1970's onwards the Park then became an education centre until 1994 when it solely became a delightful conference centre. It is reported that residents from the past still remain today, the spirits still living as they did centuries ago. In the main entrance hall of house an apparition of a lady has been seen, and she has also been seen on the staircase adjacent to the entrance. A former butler who died in the fire at the house has been seen on the 2nd level of the house, floating. A maid who fell into one of the vats in the kitchen was taken to bedroom 201, and occupants who have stayed in this room and seen and felt strange happenings. Along the main corridor on the main floor, oriental music has been heard as well as dragging noises. In the basement people have seen the figures of two soldiers guarding the door and staff have heard a baby crying on the 2nd floor. Civil War soldiers have also been seen on the driveway.