Ranger's House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ranger's House |
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Ranger's House, seen from Shooters Hill Road
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| Type | Mansion |
| Location | Blackheath |
| OS grid reference | TQ 38887 76832 |
| Area | Greater London |
| Built | c. 1722 |
| Architect | John James |
| Architectural style(s) | Palladian |
| Owner | English Heritage |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: The Ranger's House | |
| Designated | 19 October 1951 |
| Reference no. | 1218679 |
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Ranger's House is a beautiful red brick mansion. It was built in the Georgian style, which means it looks like buildings from the 1700s. You can find it right next to Greenwich Park in Blackheath, south east London.
This house was once called Chesterfield House. Its current name comes from the "Ranger of Greenwich Park." This was a special royal job. For most of the 1800s, Ranger's House was the official home for this Ranger. It is now a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historic place. Behind the house, there's a lovely rose garden. Since 2002, Ranger's House has been home to the amazing Wernher Collection of art.
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The Story of Ranger's House
Ranger's House was likely built between 1722 and 1723. It was first made for a man named Francis Hosier. He was a brave naval officer who became a Vice-Admiral. He made his money from trading at sea. The house was built on empty land next to Greenwich Park. It probably had amazing views back then. It was also easy to get to London by road and river. Hosier lived in the house until he passed away in 1727.
Famous Owners and Changes
In 1748, the house was taken over by the 4th Earl of Chesterfield. He was a very important person. He worked in politics and was a diplomat. He also loved books and was known for his clever wit. He eventually became a Secretary of State, a high government job.
The Earl of Chesterfield added a wonderful gallery to the house. This room had a large bow window. He used it for parties and to show off his art. He wrote that the view from this gallery was one of the best in the world.
Later, in 1782, a man named Richard Hulse bought the house. He added another room with a bow window. This room was on the north side. He did this to make the house look balanced with Chesterfield's gallery. This is how the house looks today.
For a short time, the house was called Brunswick House. This was when the Duchess of Brunswick lived there. She stayed from 1807 to 1813.
Becoming the Ranger's Home
Ranger's House first became the official home for the Ranger of Greenwich Park in 1816. Before this, the Ranger, Caroline of Brunswick, lived in a nearby house.
In 1888, a famous military leader, Field Marshal Lord Wolseley, moved into Ranger's House. He was invited by Queen Victoria herself.
In 1902, the London County Council bought the house. It then became a sports club and a place to have tea. The house was used by the government during both World Wars. In 1937, special blue plaques were put on the house. These plaques remember Lord Wolseley and the Earl of Chesterfield. Later, the house showed collections of old musical instruments and portraits.
Since 1986, Ranger's House has been looked after by English Heritage. This group helps protect historic places in England.
Who Was the Ranger of Greenwich Park?
The first Ranger was chosen in 1690. This was a royal appointment, meaning the King or Queen chose them. It was a job that didn't have many duties. For some years, it was also combined with another job at the Greenwich Hospital. At first, the Ranger lived at the Queen's House, Greenwich.
Some of the people who were Rangers include:
- Charles Sackville, 6th Earl of Dorset (appointed 1690)
- Henry Sydney, 1st Earl of Romney (1697)
- Sir William Gifford (1710)
- Matthew Aylmer, 1st Baron Aylmer (1714–1720)
- Sir John Jennings (1720–1743)
- Lady Catherine Pelham (1743–1780)
- Caroline of Brunswick (1805–1813)
- Princess Sophia Mathilda of Gloucester (1813 – 1844)
- Garnet Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley (1888–1896)
Discover the Wernher Collection
The Wernher Collection is a huge art collection. It was put together by Sir Julius Wernher. He was a very rich diamond businessman from Germany. He collected these artworks in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Sir Julius lived in grand homes in London and Bedfordshire.
Part of this collection used to be shown to the public at his country estate. Now, about 700 items from the collection are on display at Ranger's House. They fill twelve rooms! Some of these rooms have been decorated to look like how the collection was shown in Sir Julius's London home.
What You Can See in the Collection
The Wernher Collection has many different types of art. You can see paintings by famous artists. These include a painting from the workshop of Sandro Botticelli called “Madonna of the Pomegranate.” There are also works by Filippino Lippi, Hans Memling, and Gabriël Metsu. You can also find portraits by English painters like Sir Joshua Reynolds and George Romney.
The collection also has a wide mix of decorative art. These are beautiful objects that are also works of art. You can see amazing Renaissance jewellery. There are also old ivories, enamels, and bronzes from the medieval and Byzantine times. You'll find Italian pottery, tapestries, furniture, and fancy Sèvres porcelain. One special piece is a life-size marble sculpture. It's by Giulio Bergonzoli and is called "The Love of Angels." It shows an angel kissing a woman.
