In 1614, they were purchased by Sir Baptist Hicks along with the village of Whitwell.
[2] In 2016, it was decided by Rutland County Council to merge the villages of Exton and Horn.
This was done on the grounds that Horn no longer existed as a village and was just a small hamlet based around a mill.
In the 21st century, Exton and Horn Parish Council wanted to register the village hall for charitable purposes.
Investigations by solicitors found that whilst the council and the Countess (and her successors as Earl/Countess of Gainsborough) were to be joint trustees to the hall, the hall was legally the property of the council and could be registered as a charity property though any land registration would have to be done with joint agreement.