Great Dixter was originally a late 14th century moated house, owned by the Etchingham family. To the south-west and adjacent to the present house are the remains of the moat, which passed in ownership to the Wakehurst, Elrington and Windsor families. The timber framed hall house with cross wings at the upper and lower ends was probably founded in 1464-70 by Sir Thomas Etchingham. In 1479, King Edward IV granted him a licence to crenellate but its owner Sir John Elrington did not implement the licence. In 1910-12, Nathaniel Lloyd and Sir Edwin Lutyens restored the house and added the Yeoman's hall of 1500, on the site of the two storey lower cross wing. 3 miles west is Bodiam Castle and 9 miles south-west at Mountfield is Glottenham Castle.