South Elevation
 

Sunbury Court Conference Centre is a magnificent 18th Century restored 18th century mansion set in picturesque grounds and gardens. The land was originally part of the Royal Manor of Kempton, the mansion having been built in 1723 by John Witt as his home following his marriage. 
He occupied it until 1735 when it was sold. It changed ownership again in 1751 and again in 1755. The mansion then became the home of society heiress Anna Maria Delegard, who in 1764 married the influential George Fermor, the 2nd Earl of Pomfret, Lord of the Bedchamber and Ranger of Little Park in Windsor. It was the Earl who commissioned Swedish artist Flias Martin to paint the frescoes that now adorn the main dining room in Sunbury.

The Earl and his wife occupied the mansion until 1799, and between then and 1863, Sunbury Court had numerous owners. The building and grounds underwent many changes. Wings were added and demolished and gardens re-modeled. In 1860, Jack Needham, Lord Kilmorey, added a tunnel leading from the mansion to his boathouse on the river Thames. The entrance to the tunnel, long since sealed, can be seen today in the brick wall on the River Road. The last private owner of Sunbury Court was William Horatio Hatfield. During his ownership a severe fire seriously damaged one or both wings of the mansion.

 

East Wing
 

 

West Wing
 

It was Harfield who was responsible for the building of the present east and west wings at Sunbury, including the library and conference room. Upon Harfield's death the property became the Sunbury Court Club for some years in the early 20th century. When Sunbury Court was purchased by The Salvation Army in 1921 the mansion was standing empty and derelict. Only the Army's acquisition of this fine building saved it from almost certain destruction.
Sunbury Court has served The Salvation Army for over 80 years, becoming known to Salvationists worldwide as the place where the generals are elected.