1758
Work began on building the house for the Rebows, a distinguished military family of French Huguenot descent, who settled in Colchester and made their fortune in the wool trade.

1816
Extensive alterations by Thomas Hopper began which created much of the house as we know it today.

1856
Prince Albert visited the house and reviewed the Colchester garrison from the iron balcony outside the restaurant which is now named after him.

1884
The house withstood the famous Colchester earthquake - proof that the structural design, materials and workmanships of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were good.

1902
The park was sold to Charles Edmund Gooch.

1914
The house was requisitioned by the War department.

1939
Requisitioned again for World War II. About three thousand military personnel were in occupation. Wivenhoe House was also the headquarters of the SAS.

1964
The University of Essex purchased the park from Charles Michael David Gooch.

1977
Completely redecorated and converted into a Hotel and Conference Centre.

1987
A new extension was added to provide 40 bedrooms with en-suite facilities.

2010

Wivenhoe House closes for complete refurbishment to open in 2012 as a four star hotel and world-class hospitality training school