The Sitwells can trace their history at Eckington back to the 13th century. Robert Sytwell (died 1599), bought land at Renishaw and the original Manor House was built in the early 1620s by George Sitwell.

The family’s fortunes flourished and by the end of the 17th century, the Sitwells were the largest producers of iron nails in the world. When William Sitwell died without issue in 1776, the estate passed to his nephew Francis Hurt. Hurt’s eldest son, Sitwell Sitwell, developed the landscape at Renishaw, added two wings to the house to designs by Joseph Badger of Sheffield and also amassed a large art collection. But his sudden death in 1811, brought the years of stability to an end. To make up for the dwindling finances, his son, Sir George Sitwell was forced to sell some of the estate and most of the contents of the house but the financial problems continued and the year after his father’s death in 1853, Sir George’s eldest son, Reresby, put Renishaw up for sale.

With no buyer forthcoming, the Sitwells remained at Renishaw. After Sir Reresby’s early death in 1862, his widow, Louisa managed the estate until George, who was 2 when his father died, took over. Sir George bought back many of the treasures his grandfather had sold, commissioned Edwin Lutyens to update the house but his greatest achievement was the development of the Italianate Gardens. Laid out between 1886 and 1936, Sir George wrote about their creation in On the Making of Gardens. Gertrude Jekyll was asked for advice on the plantings.

An eccentric – allegedly, he only ever ate roast chicken – Sir George and his wife Lady Ida Denison had three children, Edith, Osbert and Sacheverell. Forming a glamorous literary circle in London, they devoted their lives to art and literature.

On Sir Osbert’s death in 1969, his brother Sir Sacheverell took over the baronetcy although he and his wife, Georgia, continued to live at the other family home in Northamptonshire.