The park is first mentioned in the Domesday Book as a "demesne forest of the king",[2] which was used for the hunting of deer.

[4] Built in the late 16th century, it was enlarged and altered several times, first in 1632–33 by Nicholas Stone for Henry Danvers, 1st Earl of Danby.

[5] Further alterations were carried out in 1663–77 by Hugh May[4] who built the east front, the stables, and the chapel (1663–68)[6] for Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon.

[4] Cornbury Park is currently the home of Robin Cayzer, 3rd Baron Rotherwick, a Conservative hereditary peer who runs it as a business.

Cayzer has developed business units for rental there, and hosts the Wilderness Festival.