 The mansion was started by Benjamin Wyatt and completed by Philip Wyatt for Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, a famous coal magnate and founder of Seaham Harbour.The Marquess spent £130,000 () to build and furnish the House.In 1841, just as the mansion was being completed, a fire broke out and gutted the house; it was later restored and remodelled by Ignatius Bonomi.