Hestercombe House in 1953, prior to becoming Somerset Fire Brigade Headquarters

Following the death of Mrs. Portman on 4 May of 1951, and the winding up of her affairs in the months that followed, the administration and letting of Hestercombe House and estate — now 234 acres (95 ha.) in extent with 15 houses and cottages — was taken over by the Crown Estate Commissioners. There were five parties interested in occupying the estate: the Royal Observatory, Greenwich; The Regional Hospital Board; The Somerset County Fire Service; a Mr. Meyer (who operated a school at Street); and a Mr. C. [‘Gassy’] Harris, a local property developer.