In 1752, the death of Sir John Vanbrugh, the great English architect and playwright, left his home, Wisley, in Surrey, to the nation. The house, which Vanbrugh had designed and built himself, was bequeathed to the British people ‘for the general good’.
The house at Wisley is a fine example of Vanbrugh’s architecture. It is a two-storey, red-brick house with a central block and two wings. The front of the house is symmetrical, with a central door flanked by two windows on each side. Above the door is a pediment, and on either side of the pediment are two more windows. The wings of the house are each pierced by three windows, and the whole façade is topped by a parapet.
The interior of the house is just as impressive as the exterior. The central hall is grand, with a marble floor and a sweeping staircase. The drawing room is decorated with a frieze by the Italian artist Antonio Zucchi, and the dining room has a portrait of Vanbrugh by Sir Godfrey Kneller.
Vanbrugh designed the house at Wisley as his retirement home, and it was here that he died in 1726. Today, the house is open to the public and is managed by the National Trust. Visitors can explore the house and gardens, and learn more about the life and work of this great architect.
How was the house at Wisley built?
The house at Wisley was built in the early 18th century. It is a five-bay, two-storey house with attics. The main entrance is on the north side, and there is a secondary entrance on the south side. The windows are all sashes with twelve panes of glass. The roof is hipped, and there are four chimneys.
The house was built by a local builder, John Turner. The stone for the house was quarried from a nearby hill. The bricks were made on site. The oak beams and floorboards were sourced from nearby forests.
The house was built using traditional methods. The walls were built first, and then the roof was added. The eaves were added last.
The house was built to be the home of a wealthy family. It would have had a large garden and extensive grounds.
Who designed the house at Wisley?
Designed by architect John Soane, the house at Wisley was built in 1806 as a summer retreat. Soane was a leading figure in British architecture in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and is known for his innovative use of light and space. The house at Wisley is a good example of his work, with its simple yet elegant lines and beautiful setting in the Surrey countryside.
Soane originally intended the house to be a relatively modest affair, but it was enlarged and elaborated upon over the years, culminating in the current building which features a number of important architectural details. The house is built of brick, with Portland stone dressings, and comprises two main storeys, plus a basement and an attic. The main frontage is symmetrical, with a central entrance flanked by two windows on each side.
The interior of the house is just as impressive as the exterior, and features a number of Soane's trademark features. The central hall is particularly striking, with its curved walls and skylight. The dining room and drawing room are also wonderfully proportioned and light, and the whole house has a feeling of calm and elegance.
Soane was clearly a master of his craft, and the house at Wisley is a great example of his work. It is a lovely place to visit and is well worth a trip if you are interested in architecture or simply want to enjoy a taste of luxury in a beautiful setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Wisley estate?
The Wisley estate was turned into an educational trust in 1923. It offers study holidays and lectures to high-achieving students from all around the world as well as a year-round programme of talks, workshops and activities for children and families.
Could RHS Wisley's Wilson House be turned into flats?
RHS Wisley is proposing to demolish the house, which is on the estate's western boundary, to make way for new housing. It said in a proposal document that the house "is now beyond Any Relevant Repair and restoration because of its state of disrepair". Wilson, who died in 1943, founded the RHS in 1920. The gardens, and gardening as we know it, are the product of what he did at Heatherbank.
When was Wisley Garden built?
Wisley Garden was built in 1905.
What is the story of RHS Garden Wisley?
The Royal Horticultural Society was given Wisley in 1903, although at that time only a small part of the 24ha (60 acres) estate was actually cultivated as a garden, the remainder being wooded farmland. In 1945, RAF Digby air base was built on the grounds of the former keeper's lodge and aristocratic deer park, which led to expansion of the garden by almost 50%. In 1963, an additional site - Garden House - was acquired and has become one of the centres of activity in the garden. More recently work has continued on further plantation development and creation of new gardens.
What happened to Witley house?
As the fire ripped through the 78-room mansion, its priceless artworks, furniture and valuable documents – including many early examples of British wildlife photography – went up in flames. A huge effort was put into dousing the fire but it destroyed much of what had been built over centuries, including original staircases, carpets and paintings. The cost of repair and reconstruction was estimated at £164,000, a fortune at the time. Witley was never rebuilt and spent the next 60 years lying in ruins: only parts of the grand facade still stand today.
