[2] In 1771, the King family moved from their house in Boyle to the newly built Kingston Hall on what is now the Rockingham estate.

[5] Rockingham house was later developed by Robert King, 1st Viscount Lorton and designed by one of the preeminent architects of the day, John Nash around 1809–10.

[6] The planned gardens were designed by John Sutherland around the same time and included servant's tunnels, follies, lodges and miniature castles.

A number of other notable structures were also built on the estate around the same time including stables (1845)[7] and a later gothic lodge and entrance gate.

In 1903, the house became one of the residences of William Ward, 2nd Earl of Dudley who was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 11 August 1902 to 11 December 1905.