It is a grade II listed building and estate, of medieval origins and with remodelling and garden work to the designs of Sir Edwin Lutyens from 1901 onwards.

Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall acquired much of the lands before 1257 for a parkland; in 1257 he endowed Hailes Abbey with the manor, which remained its owner until the English Reformation.

Hudsen split the estate in 1865, selling 400 acres (160 ha) to the owner of lands in Upper Swell, Alfred Sartoris.

[1][4] Externally, Lutyens added a paved terrace with a linear central lily-pond extending from the west gable of the south wing.

[1] Abbotswood House sits towards the north-east of the estate's circa 1 square kilometre (0.39 sq mi) park, through which the River Dikler runs north-to-south.