Strawberry Hill (London Museum #19 )

This is Strawberry Hill House near Twickenham in West London.








Strawberry Hill House was the home of Horace Walpole, a poet, novelist and prolific letter writer of the 18th Century. He was inspired by Gothic Cathedrals and you can see the influence as you wander through the rooms.

He bought up pieces of old renaissance windows from the Netherlands and other parts of Europe to create his own spectacular windows.

                                                        This glass dates back to 1642.

The Gallery is the most extravagant  part of the house but also the most familiar to myself. During 1969 -1972 I visited this house many times as the building is owned by St Mary's University London where I trained as a teacher. Many seminars and meetings with tutors took part in this part of the college.

At the time of his death in 1797 Walpole had spent over £20.000 to turn Strawberry Hill House into 'the most celebrated Gothic House in England'.

But this really was a walk down memory lane. My friend and room mate from my college days accompanied me and we spent all day reminiscing about our youth.

I recall doing many circuits of this track!

The beautiful flower meadows that now surround the playing fields.

Sharing with James at Weekend Reflections.