Blackwell (historic house) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackwell |
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Blackwell: the south front
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Arts and Crafts |
| Town or city | Bowness-on-Windermere |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 54°20′35″N 2°55′25″W / 54.3431°N 2.9236°W |
| Client | Sir Edward Holt |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Baillie Scott Thomas Mawson (Garden) |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: BLACKWELL SCHOOL | |
| Designated: | 12 November 1969 |
| Reference #: | 1124680 |
Blackwell is a beautiful old house in the Lake District in England. It was designed in a special style called Arts and Crafts by an architect named Baillie Scott. The house was built between 1898 and 1900. It was a holiday home for Sir Edward Holt, who was a rich brewer from Manchester.
Blackwell is located near the town of Bowness-on-Windermere. From the house, you can see amazing views of Windermere lake and the Coniston Fells mountains.
This house is very special because almost all its original decorations are still there. It is considered a top example of British home design. Inside, you'll find furniture and items from the time it was built. The gardens were planned by Thomas Mawson with different levels, like steps. These terraces are filled with flowers and herbs. They also create sunny spots on the south side of the house.
Blackwell opened to visitors in 2001. It often has art shows, including works by modern artists. In 2005, it won an award for being a great small visitor attraction in Northwest England. The Lakeland Arts Trust takes care of the house today.
Contents
What is the Arts and Crafts Style?
The Arts and Crafts movement was a design style popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It focused on making things by hand with great skill. Designers believed that beautiful, useful objects should be made by skilled craftspeople, not by machines.
This style often used natural materials like wood, stone, and metal. It featured simple shapes and patterns inspired by nature. Blackwell is a perfect example of this style.
Exploring Blackwell House
When you visit Blackwell, you can see many original details. These include a rare wall-hanging in the dining room. Look for the unique leaf-shaped door handles and interesting window latches. The house also has special plasterwork, colorful stained glass, and carved wooden panels. These panels were made by a company called Simpsons of Kendal.
The rooms are filled with furniture and objects from famous Arts and Crafts designers. You can see metalwork by WAS Benson and pottery by Pilkingtons and Ruskin Pottery. There is also furniture from Morris & Co., Stanley Webb Davies, Ernest Gimson, and even Baillie Scott himself.
Blackwell has collected more furniture designed by Baillie Scott. These pieces are on display, like an oak chair with black wood details. You can also see a sideboard and a set of dining chairs. The house also has rooms with exhibitions. These shows teach you more about the Arts and Crafts movement.
The Gardens of Blackwell
The gardens at Blackwell were designed by Thomas Mawson. He was also an Arts and Crafts garden designer. He created the gardens in a series of terraces. This design helps visitors enjoy the amazing views of the lake and mountains from the house.
The terraces are bordered by flower beds. These are set against paving made of York stone. This creates sheltered spots for garden chairs and tables, surrounded by beautiful flowers and herbs. On the lower terrace, there is a large, open lawn.
See also
- Listed buildings in Windermere, Cumbria (town)
- Broad Leys, Arts and Crafts house on Windermere
- List of country houses in the United Kingdom
