Southside House facts for kids
Southside House is a fascinating old house located on the edge of Wimbledon Common in London. It's a very special building, officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a historically important place that needs to be protected. The house is quite large, about 1,454 square meters (or 15,650 square feet), which is like having many apartments combined!
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The History of Southside House
Southside House has a long and interesting past, going back to the Jacobean period (the early 1600s).
How the House Was Built
Originally, Southside House started as a farm. There were two small cottages built at each end of the farm. Over time, these cottages were taken down and rebuilt. By the mid-1700s, they had become two separate townhouses, connected by a wall. Later, during the Georgian era (the 1700s and early 1800s), the two parts of the house were made bigger towards the south. The outside of the house was then made to look like one single building.
Owners and Their Contributions
In 1931, a woman named Hilda Pennington Mellor bought the house. She filled it with beautiful paintings, furniture, and other valuable items from her family's previous home in France. Her son, Malcolm Munthe, spent many years after that carefully fixing up and improving Southside House. He also worked on Carefrae House, a building next door that his family bought in the early 1950s.
Malcolm Munthe was known for his amazing stories, and he often connected Southside House to many famous historical people and events.
Southside House Today
Southside House is the only historic home in the London Borough of Merton. It plays an important role in helping people learn about culture and history.
What Happens at the House
Today, Southside House hosts many different activities. These include music concerts, evenings where people read and discuss books, and visits for school children. It's a place where people can come to learn and enjoy the arts.
Who Manages the House
The house is managed by a group called the Pennington-Mellor-Munthe Charity Trust. This trust also looks after Hellens Manor, which is another historic country house in Herefordshire. In May 2022, Southside House was sold to new owners, but it continues its important work.
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