Sandycombe Lodge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sandycombe Lodge |
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| Solus Lodge | |
Sandycombe Lodge in 1814
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| Location | 40 Sandycoombe Road, Twickenham TW1 2LR, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames |
| Built | 1813 |
| Built for | J. M. W. Turner and his father William Turner |
| Architect | J. M. W. Turner |
| Architectural style(s) | Picturesque-cottage style |
| Governing body | Turner's House Trust |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Sandycombe Lodge | |
| Designated | 2 September 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1262429 |
Sandycombe Lodge is a special house in Twickenham, London. It was designed and built in 1813 by a famous artist named J. M. W. Turner. He wanted it as a peaceful country home for himself and his father, William.
Turner lived in this house from 1814 to 1826. It was first called Solus Lodge. Sandycombe Lodge is the only building that Turner designed himself that is still standing today. It shows how his friend, Sir John Soane, influenced his ideas.
When the house was built, Twickenham was a quiet, rural area. This is different from how busy it is today!
Contents
Discovering Turner's Country Retreat
Sandycombe Lodge is a unique building because it was designed by a famous artist. It's a great example of the "picturesque-cottage" style. This style tries to make buildings look like they fit perfectly into a beautiful natural landscape.
Who Was J. M. W. Turner?
J. M. W. Turner (1775–1851) was one of Britain's greatest painters. He was known for his amazing landscape paintings, especially those of the sea and dramatic weather. He often used bright colors and light in new ways.
Turner wanted a quiet place away from the busy city of London. Sandycombe Lodge was his escape. Here, he could relax and spend time with his father.
A Home in the Countryside
Turner built Sandycombe Lodge in 1813. He lived there with his father, William, from 1814 to 1826. The house was a peaceful retreat for them.
An old picture from 1814, called Sandycombe Lodge, Twickenham, Villa of J. M. W. Turner, shows how rural the area was back then. This picture was made by William Bernard Cooke after a drawing by William Havell. It is now kept at Tate Britain.
The House Through Time
After Turner sold Sandycombe Lodge in 1826, it had many different owners. Over the years, some parts of the house were changed. For example, second floors were added to the side wings. This changed its original look.
During the Second World War, the house was even used as a factory. They made uniforms for airmen there. The heavy machines caused some damage to the stairs and ceilings.
In 1947, Professor Harold Livermore and his wife Ann bought the house. They cared deeply about its history. In 2005, they created the Sandycombe Lodge Trust. This trust is now known as Turner's House Trust.
When Professor Livermore passed away in 2010, he left the house to the Trust. His wish was for the house to be saved and shared with everyone as a tribute to Turner.
Saving Sandycombe Lodge
Many of the house's original features were still there, but it needed a lot of work. The Turner's House Trust wanted to bring the house back to how it looked when Turner lived there. This meant removing later additions and fixing damaged parts.
The Restoration Project
The Trust worked hard to raise money for the restoration. In January 2015, they received a large grant of £1.4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This money helped them start the big project.
The renovation began in March 2016 and cost £2.4 million. It took about a year to complete. The goal was to make the house look just like it did in Turner's time.
Visiting Turner's House Today
The restoration of Sandycombe Lodge is now finished! The house is open to the public. Visitors can step inside and imagine what it was like for Turner to live there. They can also learn about the amazing work that went into saving this important historic house.
