Strawberry Hill House is a hidden gem just a train ride away from central London – and this lesser-known miniature Gothic castle is packed with surprises
Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham is a hidden gem less than 40 minutes away from central London.
Despite living close by, my first visit to the property was just last week, where I was blown away by its resemblance to a miniature castle, and surprised at how much unique opulence could fit into such a relatively small space.
The house has a fascinating history, having been created by the writer and historian Horace Walpole in the 18th century. It became a tourist attraction during Walpole’s lifetime, who designed the property, his summer residence, to be a small ‘Gothic castle’.
After Walpole’s death, the house was passed down to various relatives, and nearly met its demise in the house of George Waldegrave, the Seventh Earl of Waldegrave. George was imprisoned for “riotous behaviour” and vowed to let the house fall into ruin, arranging the “Great Sale” in 1842, which saw much of Walpole’s collection be sold.
Several years ago the house was restored with £10million worth of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, The World Monuments Fund, English Heritage, and the local community and other foundations.
The main attraction is the gallery – a palatial room with striking red walls and an elegant white and gold ceiling. Unsurprisingly, Walpole used the room for entertaining, and during the house’s 2006 restoration, more than 2000 books of gold leaf were used on the gilding work. I spent ages taking in the paintings and the intricate ceiling details, and pondering what it would have been like hundreds of years ago.
As a writer, the room I admired the most was the library. The bookshelves, packed with old-fashioned leather-bound books, are adorned with white, gothic features that add to the charm. The ceiling, a knowledgeable volunteer told me, was inspired by the crusades and painted in three sections on the floor before being applied. The volunteers, almost one in every room, are a huge credit to the property and are filled with both facts and passion – and are more than happy to pass this on to visitors.
Despite being somewhat small in stature compared to other, more famous stately homes, Strawberry Hill House is packed with castle-like features. The suit of armour, small models of fantastical creatures on the bannisters, and intricate, luxurious wallpaper (which you are asked not to touch) all add to the eclectic quirkiness of the place.
Strawberry Hill House is the perfect way to spend a few hours whether you’re a history nerd – there is an old fashioned printing press and a copy of the bed in which Sir Robert Walpole died in 1745 – or simply enjoy walking around and looking at beautiful things. Paintings of figures such as Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII adorn the walls and the intricate stained glass windows are also to be admired.
Upstairs there is a dressing room with a rail of exquisite Georgian costumes for children to try on. They were handmade by the Strawberry Hill House Sewing Bee and inspired by the paintings inside the house. The gardens, which include a fairy woodland trail, can also be enjoyed by children and adults alike, while the cafe provides a place to stop and relax.
All in all, Strawberry Hill House provides a great half-day of entertainment and history – and if you want to make a day of it, why not explore the nearby Radnor Gardens or Twickenham Riverside. The house provides a fascinating snapshot into the past and its beauty means that even if history isn’t quite your thing, there is still enough to admire and enjoy here.