[2] In about 1225 the land was given to the Pyt family (pronounced pit) by the abbess of Shaftesbury.

At this time the family name had been changed to Bennett, maybe as homage to the Benedictine Abbey of Shaftesbury.

In about 1707 the Groves sold it to the Benett family, who were related to the original Bennetts by marriage.

The house remained in the Benett family until the mid-1950s, when death duties forced its sale.

The House and estate is not open to the public, but to the SE of the House is Pythouse Kitchen Garden [7] with public access to a 3-acre walled garden with parking, restaurant, bar, and an area with plants producing vegetables and fruit for the restaurant.