[1] The house dates from the late 16th century but was remodelled in 1749 with addition of second storey (third floor) to the main range.

The central range is a 3-storey, 5-bay building connected to outlying 2-storey 2-bay side wings by single cell units.

The estate duly passed into the ownership of the Willoughby family, passing first to Thomas' son Henry, who afterwards inherited from his cousin the title of 5th Baron Middleton, together with other estates at Middleton and Wollaton Park, where he actually chose to live.

[2] The 8th Baron Middleton, however, chose to live at Birdsall, employing the architect Anthony Salvin to extend the house and eventually dying there in 1877.

James and Cara Willoughby and their family still live and work at Birdsall, using parts of the house and grounds as a luxury wedding and event venue.