Lionel Beresford Bethell was born in London, England on 28 January 1864 and studied at Peterborough School of Art and at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College, London. He was articled to Rowland Plumbe (1838-1919) from 1891 to 1894.
Bethell commenced independent practice as an architect in Kingswood, near Reigate, Surrey in 1902. He was elected a Licentiate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (LRIBA) in 1912. He died on 7 December 1928. At the time of his death he was living at Axeland House, Salfords, near Horley, Surrey.
Russet House, Tadwortb: St. Monica's School, Kingswood; the Elms, Burgh Heath; Margery Wood, Margery, near Reigate; the Rod House, Brackley; Helidon Vicarage, Northants; Oakley Manor; Chinthurst School, Tadworth
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 1: A-K. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001