Pitzhanger Manor facts for kids
Pitzhanger Manor (east face)
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| Location | Mattock Lane, Ealing, London, W5 5EQ, United Kingdom |
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| Architect | Sir John Soane |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name | Pitzhanger Manor (Public Library) |
| Designated | 24 February 1950 |
| Reference no. | 1358808 |
Pitzhanger Manor is a special old house in Ealing, west London. It's famous because it was designed and lived in by Sir John Soane, a very important architect. He built it between 1800 and 1804.
Soane wanted Pitzhanger to be a place where he could entertain guests. It was also meant to be a family home for his sons, who he hoped would become architects too. The house is a great example of Soane's unique style.
Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery first opened to the public in 1987. It started showing modern art exhibitions in 1996. In 2015, the building closed for a big restoration project. The goal was to make it look like Soane's original design. It also aimed to improve the art gallery.
This three-year project was led by Ealing Council. They worked with the Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery Trust. The National Lottery Heritage Fund also helped a lot. Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery reopened on March 16, 2019. It now shows Soane's amazing original design, which hadn't been seen for over 175 years!
Contents
History of Pitzhanger Manor
Early Days (Before 1800)
A large house has been on this spot since the late 1600s. Back then, a smaller Pitzhanger Manor was located about a mile north.
In the early 1700s, the Wilmer family lived here. Later, the house passed to Thomas Gurnell. He bought more land in 1765. His grander house in Ealing became known as Pitshanger Place.
In 1768, a young John Soane worked on an extension to the house. He was an apprentice for the architect George Dance. This was one of Soane's first jobs in architecture. The house was later sold in 1799.
Sir John Soane's Home (1800–1810)
By the 1790s, John Soane was a very successful architect. He was even the architect for the Bank of England. In 1794, Soane and his family moved into a house in central London. This house also served as his office.
In 1800, Soane decided to buy a country home. He wanted a place to entertain guests. He also wanted to show off his skills and his collection of art. He chose Pitzhanger because he had worked there before. On August 1, 1800, he bought the estate for £4,500.
Soane worked hard on designs for the new house. He planned to tear down the older parts of the house. However, he kept a two-story section designed by George Dance. Soane had admired this part since his apprenticeship. Demolition began in 1800. Most of Soane's new building was finished by late 1803.
The house was fully completed in 1804. It shows many of Soane's special touches. These include unique ceilings and hidden mirrors. Many of the paintings and ancient objects now at the Sir John Soane's Museum were first kept at Pitzhanger Manor.
Soane sold the house in 1810. His wife was not happy living in the countryside. Also, he had disagreements with his two sons. So, his dream of Pitzhanger becoming a family architectural home didn't work out. The house had several owners after Soane. In 1843, it became home to the daughters of Spencer Perceval, a former UK Prime Minister.
Today, the house is officially called Pitzhanger Manor, spelled with a 'Z'. The nearby area, Pitshanger Village, is still spelled with an 'S'.
Ealing Council Takes Over (1900–1985)
In 1900, Ealing Council bought Pitzhanger Manor. They paid £40,000 for it. The plan was to turn it into a Free Public Library. Work started after the last resident, Frederika Perceval, passed away in 1901.
The council added a new extension to the house. This part was designed by their chief surveyor, Charles Jones. He made sure the new section matched the old house. On the north side, the servants' quarters were removed. A new building for the Lending Library was built there. It opened to the public in April 1902.
In 1938–40, the Lending Library building was replaced. This new, slightly larger building is now the Pitzhanger Gallery. The Library moved out in 1984. The first round of restoration work on the house began in 1985.
PM Gallery & House (1987–2012)
The partly restored house reopened in January 1987. It became the main museum for the London Borough of Ealing. In 1996, it started hosting contemporary art exhibitions. It later became known as PM Gallery & House.
The venue also became a popular place for weddings. Planning for a second big restoration project began in 2008. The house closed for this major work in March 2015.
Restoration Work (2012–2019)
In 2012, Ealing Council started a huge project. They wanted to restore Pitzhanger Manor and the Gallery. The Heritage Lottery Fund gave a large grant to help. They worked with the Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery Trust.
The project aimed to bring Pitzhanger Manor back to Sir John Soane’s original design. It also made the building fully accessible for everyone. A new cafe was built where Soane's kitchen garden used to be. The Gallery was also improved for major art exhibitions.
The plans included removing some later additions to the house. A single-story conservatory was rebuilt. This conservatory had been taken down around 1910. Architects Jestico + Whiles led the project. They worked with many specialists.
Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery (2019 – Present)
On March 16, 2019, Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery reopened. The restoration work was complete. Most of the Manor now looks like Soane's original design. The Gallery was also updated.
Today, the Gallery shows three exhibitions each year. These feature works by modern artists, designers, and architects. This gives a new look at Sir John Soane's work.
There is also a new gift shop and improved exhibition spaces. The new cafe, Soane’s Kitchen, opened in July 2018. It serves food and drinks all day. The new learning center, The Rickyard, opened in 2015. It hosts many Pitzhanger events and workshops.
An independent charity, Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery Trust, was created in 2012. It helped raise money for the restoration. After the reopening, the Trust took over running Pitzhanger as a public attraction.
Architecture of Pitzhanger Manor
The Manor's Design (1804)
Pitzhanger Manor shows Sir John Soane's unique architectural style. It combines elements of neoclassical design with his own special touches.
Soane was inspired by ancient Roman and Greek art. He had recently traveled through Italy. Pitzhanger shows this influence with features like columns and eagles. He was especially inspired by the Arch of Constantine in Rome. This style matched his collection of ancient objects.
The house also shows influences from Italian Renaissance architecture. Soane added his own ideas too. These included special ceilings and clever ways to use light and shadow.
Ealing War Memorial (1919)
After World War I, people decided to build a memorial. It would honor the men of Ealing who died in the war. They chose a spot outside Pitzhanger Manor.
The memorial is a gateway with two walls. The names of the fallen soldiers are carved into these walls. There is also a tree-lined path leading to it. The architect Leonard Shuffrey designed the memorial. It was later made larger to include names from World War II.
The gate has this inscription:
In proud and grateful memory of the men of this borough who laid down their lives in the Great War 1914–1918.
Pitzhanger in Culture
Art and Artists at Pitzhanger
Pitzhanger Manor was designed to host many guests. Soane invited famous artists and creative people of his time. It's said that a young J.M.W. Turner, a famous painter, even fished in the Manor's ponds.
The Soane family also collected modern art. Soane's wife, Eliza, bought William Hogarth's famous series of paintings, The Rake's Progress, in 1802. These paintings were likely displayed in the Manor. They were exhibited again at Pitzhanger in March 2020.
Filming Location
Pitzhanger Manor looks very authentic to its historical period. Because of this, it's often used as a filming location. It's also right next to Ealing Studios. It has appeared in several movies and TV shows:
- The Importance of Being Earnest (2002): This movie starred Judi Dench and Colin Firth. Parts of the house were used before its big restoration.
- The Biographer (2000): Pitzhanger Manor pretended to be Kensington Palace. The Gallery also stood in for The Tate.
- Kavanagh QC (1998): The Pitzhanger Gallery was used as a Crown Court set.
- Doctor Who: More Than 30 Years in the TARDIS (1993): A short scene for this anniversary show was filmed here.
Other Soane Buildings in London
Sir John Soane designed many other important buildings. Here are a few more you can find in London:
- Sir John Soane’s Museum, Holborn
- Dulwich Picture Gallery, Dulwich
- Bank of England Museum, City of London
- Holy Trinity Church, Marylebone
- St Peter’s Church, Walworth
- St John on Bethnal Green, Bethnal Green
- The Soane Tomb, St Pancras Old Church Gardens
Images for kids
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The Upper Landing of the historic Manor.
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The Main Hall in the Gallery for contemporary art.
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The Vestibule (above view).
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The Upper Drawing Room wallpaper (detail).
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The Breakfast Room painted interiors (detail).
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