The Hoo, Willingdon And Jevington
History and description
Alexander Wedderburn commissioned Edwin Lutyens to undertake a re-modelling of his existing house at Willingdon on the South Downs in 1901. The result was among Lutyens' favourite works, and is considered among his best country houses. After post-war service as a girls' school, the house was converted to apartments in 1955. The building remains privately owned and was the subject of a sympathetic restoration in 2022.
The core of the current house remains Wedderburn's original cottage. To this, Lutyens added a gable roof with dormer windows, while to each side he constructed large wings. There are examples of the neo-Georgian styling which was to become one of Lutyens' major architectural themes.
The original planting scheme for the gardens, which were designed in a formal style, was undertaken by Gertrude Jekyll. Some modifications have been made since, and some of the outlying parts have succumbed to residential development.
The Hoo is a Grade I listed building and its gardens are listed at Grade II* on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England.
References
- ^ Historic England. "The Hoo (Grade I) (1184911)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ "Lutyens houses on the market". Lutyens Trust. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ "2023 Awards: Large scale residential". Sussex Heritage Trust. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- ^ Page, Richard (Winter 2017). "The Hoo, Willingdon, East Sussex" (PDF). Lutyens Trust. p. 13. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- ^ "The Hoo, Willingdon - Eastbourne". Parks & Gardens UK. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- ^ Historic England. "The Hoo gardens (Grade II*) (1000236)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
External links
Media related to The Hoo, Willingdon at Wikimedia Commons