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.
The house is located near the town of Bowness-on-Windermere. From Blackwell, you can see amazing views over Windermere lake and across to the Coniston Fells.
Blackwell is very special because almost all its original decorations are still there. It is considered a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important example of British house design. Inside, you'll find original furniture and items from the time it was built.
The gardens around the house were designed by Thomas Mawson. They are set up in different levels, called terraces. These terraces are bordered by flowers and herbs. They also create sunny spots on the south side of the house.
Blackwell has been open for visitors since 2001. It often has art shows, including works by artists like Edmund de Waal. 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.
Contents
Exploring Blackwell: A Special Arts and Crafts House
When architect MH Baillie Scott designed this holiday home for Sir Edward Holt, he created Blackwell. It's a perfect example of the Arts and Crafts movement. This movement focused on handmade items and natural materials.
Original Features and Design
Blackwell still has many of its first decorative details. For example, the dining room has a rare wall-hanging made of Hessian fabric. You can also see unique leaf-shaped door handles and interesting window latches. The house features special plasterwork, colorful stained glass, and carved wooden panels. These panels were made by a company called Simpsons of Kendal.
Furniture and Art Collections
The rooms at Blackwell are filled with furniture and objects from famous Arts and Crafts designers. You can see metalwork by WAS Benson and pottery from Pilkingtons and Ruskin Pottery. There is also furniture by well-known designers like Morris & Co., Stanley Webb Davies, Ernest Gimson, and even Baillie Scott himself.
The house displays some of Baillie Scott's own furniture designs. These include an oak and ebony barrel chair with slatted sides. There's also a matching sideboard and a set of dining chairs. Blackwell also has special rooms that show historical exhibits. These exhibits help visitors learn more about the Arts and Crafts movement.
The Beautiful Terraced Gardens
The original gardens at Blackwell were designed by Thomas Mawson. He was an Arts and Crafts garden designer. He created the gardens in a series of terraces. This design helps to make the most of the amazing views from the house. You can look out over the lake towards the Coniston fells.
The terraces are bordered by flower beds. These are set against paving made of York stone. This area provides a sheltered spot 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
