 During World War II , the house saw service as a depository for the evacuated Wallace Collection and a convalescent home . A troop of gunners occupied the decaying service wing , and the park was used for the inflation of barrage balloons . During this turmoil , the Dashwoods retreated to the upper floor and took in lodgers to pay the bills , albeit very superior lodgers , who included Nancy Mitford and James Lees @-@ Milne , who was secretary of the Country House Committee of the National Trust and instrumental in the Trust 's acquisition of many such houses . In 1943 , Sir John gave the house and grounds to the National Trust , on condition that he and his descendants could continue living in the house . 
