South Wraxall Manor in Bradford-On-Avon is usually remembered for its long history — the 15th-century estate is even rumoured to be the place where Sir Walter Raleigh first smoked tobacco in England.
But beneath the charm of the Wiltshire countryside lies a far more controversial story.
This historic home, once owned by international arms dealer Douglas Leese, is now being linked to the early years of Jeffrey Epstein’s climb into the heart of Britain’s social and political establishment.
Epstein’s Introduction to British High Society
According to newly uncovered details, Epstein’s frequent weekends at South Wraxall with the Leese family opened doors to Britain’s elite.
It was through this connection that Epstein is said to have first brushed against the Bullingdon Club scene — the same notorious Oxford drinking society known for its powerful alumni.
This pathway may even explain how Epstein later crossed paths with Ghislaine Maxwell, the socialite who became his closest ally.
Revelations from the Birthday Book
Fresh light was shed on these connections last week, when a U.S. congressional committee released Epstein’s infamous “birthday book.”
Among the messages was one from Douglas Leese’s son, Nick, who penned a lurid tribute for Epstein’s 50th in 2003.
The note mentioned “massage classes at Wraxall” and described a disturbing night out involving Epstein, his father, and associates at London’s Tramp nightclub.
Nick later admitted the woman at the centre of the story had been his father’s mistress, calling the episode a drunken mistake.
Epstein and the Leese Family
Douglas Leese himself was said to be impressed by the young Epstein, who in his late 20s was described as charismatic, social, and highly ambitious.
Epstein became a regular guest at the family’s Wiltshire manor, and according to Leese’s son Julian, there was a mutual admiration between the two men.
But their relationship soured after Epstein allegedly charged Concorde flights to Leese’s account, leading to a bitter falling out.
The Financial Web
Epstein’s financial dealings were already raising eyebrows.
Steven Hoffenberg, the convicted fraudster behind the Towers Financial Ponzi scheme, claimed Leese had introduced him to Epstein.
Hoffenberg, who served 20 years in prison, accused Epstein of playing a role in the scheme — accusations that, if true, could explain the origins of Epstein’s early fortune.
Arms Deals and Political Ties
Douglas Leese was no stranger to controversy himself.
In 1996, MP George Galloway accused him in Parliament of profiting from secret commissions linked to the Al Yamamah arms deal between British Aerospace and Saudi Arabia.
Though details were never fully exposed, questions lingered about Leese’s dealings and how they may have intersected with Epstein’s ambitions.
From Historic Estate to Celebrity Home
South Wraxall Manor, built in the 1420s, passed through generations of the Long family before Leese purchased it in the 1960s.
Decades later, the estate was sold to Duran Duran’s John Taylor and Gela Nash, co-founder of Juicy Couture.
Today, it stands as a dreamy English country house — but with a legacy complicated by its role in Epstein’s story.
A Relationship Overshadowed by Scandal
Epstein’s association with the Leese family came long before the world knew him as a convicted sex offender.
He died in 2019 at the age of 66 while awaiting trial on multiple sex charges.
What began as weekend retreats at a country manor near Shakespeare country ultimately became part of a much darker narrative — one that continues to raise uncomfortable questions about who opened the doors to Epstein’s rise.