It was originally built by the Hamon family in the 16th century, but acquired in 1666 by Jane and Thomas Papillon for about £6,000.

After standing empty for a time the house was used by the Army during the war and repurchased by the Papillons in 1946.

On 29 July 1944, Flight Sgt Anthony Drew of 56 Squadron RAF, while pursuing a V1 Flying Bomb in a Hawker Tempest, became disoriented in cloud and crashed into the ground, narrowly missing the house.

The Folkestone Building Company purchased the property in 1986 and undertook a major programme of restoration of the main house.

They also converted the 18th century stable blocks and ancillary buildings to exclusive residential units.