'A turning point in the history of country houses': Bowood's trailblazing days as a safe refuge for wounded soldiers

The Earl of Kerry, 11th-generation custodian of Bowood, holds a framed certificate in the Diocletian Wing. The text begins: ‘During the Great War of 1914–1919 this building was maintained as a hospital for British sick and wounded.’

Its ornamented borders feature the arms and floral emblems of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Dominions, as well as the initials of the unidentified artist ‘F. R.’.

Those words commemorate an extraordinary time in the house's history. In the First World War, this space was transformed into an Auxiliary Red Cross Hospital under the aegis of Maud, 5th Marchioness of Lansdowne, whose youngest son was killed at Ypres in October 1914.

A senior member of the Red Cross before the conflict, she was instrumental in establishing 3,000 auxiliary hospitals in houses across Britain. All received identical certificates.

Bowood accommodated 54 convalescing soldiers at any one time, served by 20 Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses, with the Lansdowne family and household staff. Dozens of other country houses across Britain served as wartime hospitals and convalescent homes, including Brighton's Royal Pavilion, Great Dixter and Highclere Castle. Yet if it weren't for the example of Bowood, how many of those would have played the same role?

‘This initiative was not only a turning point in Maud’s life, but in the history of country houses generally,’ explains Lord Kerry.

‘It catalysed social change. By opening Bowood’s doors to troops and breaking down class barriers, it became a beacon of recovery.

'Today, this tradition lives on, with visitor support ensuring Bowood’s continued preservation.’

Visit Bowood's website to find out more.

This feature originally appeared in the July 15, 2026, print edition of Country Life. Click here for more information on how to subscribe.