When I first saw a picture of Strawberry Hill House I knew I had to visit it. A romantic looking white castley (is that a word) looking building - what's not to love?
So on Monday, April 23rd I made a last minute decision to visit that day. I was able to get a 30% discount with my Seniors Railcard. With all the travel I did in the United Kingdom this year it was well worth the price of thirty pounds - another benefit of being old! (besides growing up with the best music ever)
As we know I am directionally challenged but after asking a couple of people I managed to find my way from Strawberry Hill station in Twickenham and it turned out to be about a ten minute walk. I had booked online (there is a limited amount of people admitted to the house so I decided to be sensible and book ahead...it's a long way to go to be refused entry) but of course had no time to go to the library to get it printed but the confirmation number on my phone was accepted. (and it looked like I had been the only one who had booked online that day...the rest just showed up) I was miffed though as no seniors discount. Boooooo! On the other hand, no school groups. Wheee!!!!
Before I show you the house, here's a little history on Strawberry Hill House. In 1747 Horace Walpole purchased "Chopp'd Straw Hall" on the banks of the Thames in Twickenham which was just a few old cottages and turned it into the first and finest example of Georgian Gothic Revival architecture in Britain. He was the son of the first British Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole and very involved in 18t18th-centurylitics, literature as well as the arts. In fact, he wrote the world's first Gothic novel. Being independently wealthy Horace was able to indulge his passions to the max. Lucky guy! As he died single and childless the house was passed on to extended family. Lady Waldegrave was related through marriage and did a lot of restoration in the mid 19th century. Eventually, it was sold and is now owned by St Mary's University College. It was recently restored with assistance from a lottery fund and private donations. The results are breathtaking and it is easily one of the most beautiful stately homes I have visited. It's a popular venue for weddings and I can see why.
So let's go have a look!!
These were on the staircases...bars around to protect from little hands but can't see those would help much. Fun fact: Horace Walpole opened his house to four visitors a day but no children were allowed!
The restored stained glass was amazing and my favourite feature of the house. I could have stood and stared at the detail for hours.
What a ceiling!!
A blue (is there any other colour?) room..with a fireplace...may I move in please?
Nope, didn't read it.
Eek, eek...look at all those BOOKS!!!
These covered one of the ceilings!
The guide did explain the significance of this but I can't remember now. There were volunteers in most of the rooms who did an excellent job of telling me about the features. In one ear and out the other sad to say.
Such a beautiful fireplace. What a beautiful house it was - loved it! Now it's time to go outside and explore the garden...
This is the shell seat. I was the only one wandering around then or I would have loved to have had my picture taken sitting on it. So beautiful.
It was a lovely but short walk along here.
What a fabulous place! The grounds used to extend right down to the Thames but now you can't even see it as it has been built up with houses. It's no wonder I couldn't see it Strawberry Hill House when I wandered along that part of the Thames Path three years ago.
They have a great gift shop and the tiny teashop has lovely cakes.
If you want to learn more about Strawberry Hill house click here.
You can get to Strawberry Hill House by South Eastern train from London Waterloo. The direct journey takes about 40 minutes. Well worth the trip! Entry is a bit steep at £12.50 for an adult admission but there is a discount if you belong to the National Trust or have a companion and have taken the train.
So on Monday, April 23rd I made a last minute decision to visit that day. I was able to get a 30% discount with my Seniors Railcard. With all the travel I did in the United Kingdom this year it was well worth the price of thirty pounds - another benefit of being old! (besides growing up with the best music ever)
As we know I am directionally challenged but after asking a couple of people I managed to find my way from Strawberry Hill station in Twickenham and it turned out to be about a ten minute walk. I had booked online (there is a limited amount of people admitted to the house so I decided to be sensible and book ahead...it's a long way to go to be refused entry) but of course had no time to go to the library to get it printed but the confirmation number on my phone was accepted. (and it looked like I had been the only one who had booked online that day...the rest just showed up) I was miffed though as no seniors discount. Boooooo! On the other hand, no school groups. Wheee!!!!
Before I show you the house, here's a little history on Strawberry Hill House. In 1747 Horace Walpole purchased "Chopp'd Straw Hall" on the banks of the Thames in Twickenham which was just a few old cottages and turned it into the first and finest example of Georgian Gothic Revival architecture in Britain. He was the son of the first British Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole and very involved in 18t18th-centurylitics, literature as well as the arts. In fact, he wrote the world's first Gothic novel. Being independently wealthy Horace was able to indulge his passions to the max. Lucky guy! As he died single and childless the house was passed on to extended family. Lady Waldegrave was related through marriage and did a lot of restoration in the mid 19th century. Eventually, it was sold and is now owned by St Mary's University College. It was recently restored with assistance from a lottery fund and private donations. The results are breathtaking and it is easily one of the most beautiful stately homes I have visited. It's a popular venue for weddings and I can see why.
So let's go have a look!!
These were on the staircases...bars around to protect from little hands but can't see those would help much. Fun fact: Horace Walpole opened his house to four visitors a day but no children were allowed!
The restored stained glass was amazing and my favourite feature of the house. I could have stood and stared at the detail for hours.
What a ceiling!!
A blue (is there any other colour?) room..with a fireplace...may I move in please?
Nope, didn't read it.
Eek, eek...look at all those BOOKS!!!
These covered one of the ceilings!
The guide did explain the significance of this but I can't remember now. There were volunteers in most of the rooms who did an excellent job of telling me about the features. In one ear and out the other sad to say.
Such a beautiful fireplace. What a beautiful house it was - loved it! Now it's time to go outside and explore the garden...
This is the shell seat. I was the only one wandering around then or I would have loved to have had my picture taken sitting on it. So beautiful.
It was a lovely but short walk along here.
What a fabulous place! The grounds used to extend right down to the Thames but now you can't even see it as it has been built up with houses. It's no wonder I couldn't see it Strawberry Hill House when I wandered along that part of the Thames Path three years ago.
They have a great gift shop and the tiny teashop has lovely cakes.
If you want to learn more about Strawberry Hill house click here.
You can get to Strawberry Hill House by South Eastern train from London Waterloo. The direct journey takes about 40 minutes. Well worth the trip! Entry is a bit steep at £12.50 for an adult admission but there is a discount if you belong to the National Trust or have a companion and have taken the train.
Comments