Philipps House facts for kids
Philipps House is a beautiful old country house in Dinton, Wiltshire, England. It was built in the early 1800s in a classical Greek style. The house sits on a hill, looking over the River Nadder valley, about 8 kilometers (5 miles) west of Salisbury.
This grand house was built in 1816 for William Wyndham. It replaced an older house from the 1600s. The famous architect Sir Jeffry Wyatville designed it. In 1916, a man named Bertram Philipps bought the estate and changed its name to Philipps House. Later, in 1943, he gave the house and its large park to the National Trust.
Philipps House is a very important historical building, listed as Grade II*. This means it's a special building that needs to be protected. Its parkland, called Dinton Park, is also a Grade II* listed historic garden.
The house is made from a local stone called Chilmark stone. This is the same type of stone used to build the famous Salisbury Cathedral. The architect, Sir Jeffry Wyatville, might have gotten some ideas for his design from another nearby house called Pythouse.
Philipps House has two floors. It has chimneys that are placed evenly on both sides and a special glass roof section called a lantern in the middle. The main front of the house faces south and has a grand entrance with tall columns. Inside, the rooms are set around a large square hall with a wide, impressive staircase leading upstairs. This house was one of the first in England to have a central heating system! Hot air was pumped from a boiler in the basement up into the stairwell.
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History of Philipps House
Building the House
The house we see today was designed by Jeffry Wyatt, who later became Sir Jeffry Wyatville. It was built between 1814 and 1817 for William Wyndham. Before this house, an older house called Dinton House stood on the same spot. The Wyndham family had lived there since 1689.
The Wyndham family owned the house for many years. In 1916, another William Wyndham sold it. His family had inherited it through a long line of relatives.
The Philipps Family Takes Over
In 1917, Bertram Erasmus Philipps bought the house and its land. He was from a famous family called the Philipps baronets. He decided to rename the house after himself, calling it Philipps House. Bertram Philipps was an important person in Wiltshire and served as the High Sheriff in 1923. This was a special role, like a representative of the King or Queen in the county.
Bertram Philipps and his wife did not have children. They were very kind to the local community. Every year, they would invite the children from the village school to Philipps House for a fun tea party. The children would play sports and enjoy fireworks.
During World War II
In 1936, Bertram Philipps leased the house to the YWCA. This is a group that helps young women. He then moved to another house nearby. During World War II, the park in front of Philipps House was used by the United States Army Air Force. They put up many temporary huts there for soldiers.
In 1943, Bertram Philipps generously gave Philipps House and about 250 acres (1 square kilometer) of its parkland to the National Trust. He also gave them his other house and some family paintings.
Philipps House and the National Trust
The YWCA's Time at the House
Even though the National Trust now owned Philipps House, it was agreed that the YWCA could continue to use it. They paid a very small rent, almost nothing, as long as they needed the house. During their time there, Philipps House became a special place for artists. It offered art courses where people could stay and learn to paint.
The rooms inside the house were turned into art studios. There were also bedrooms for guests who paid to stay. The beautiful gardens and the area around the house were perfect for painting landscapes.
Changes and Public Access
The YWCA stayed at Philipps House until 1995. Even though their art courses were still very popular, they had to leave. This was because the terms of their lease changed. The YWCA would have to pay for major repairs to the house, which were very expensive.
After the YWCA left, the National Trust fixed up the house. It was then leased to a family to live in. As of March 2023, the house itself is not open to the public. However, the beautiful parkland around the house, still known as Dinton Park, is open for everyone to enjoy.
