Southside House facts for kids
Southside House is a very old and interesting home located right next to Wimbledon Common. It's a big house, about 15,650 square feet! It's so special that it's been given a "Grade II* listed" status. This means it's a very important historical building that needs to be protected because of its special history and architecture.
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Discovering Southside House's Past
Southside House has a long and fascinating history. It dates all the way back to the Jacobean era, which was a time in England from 1603 to 1625. Back then, it wasn't one big house like it is today. It started as a farm with two small cottages built at opposite ends.
How the House Grew
Over time, these two cottages changed a lot. They were taken down, rebuilt, and made much nicer. By the mid-1700s, they had become two separate townhouses. These townhouses were then joined together by a wall. Later, during the Georgian era (from 1714 to 1837), the two parts of the house were made even bigger towards the south. The outside of the house was then made to look like one single, grand building.
Who Lived at Southside House?
In 1931, a woman named Hilda Pennington Mellor bought the house. She filled it with beautiful paintings, furniture, and other treasures. These items came from her family's previous home in France, called Villa Françon.
Malcolm Munthe's Work
Hilda's son, Malcolm Munthe, played a big part in the house's story. For many years, he worked hard to fix up and restore Southside House. He also worked on the house next door, called Carefrae House, which his family bought in the early 1950s. Major Munthe was known for his amazing storytelling. He often connected Southside House to many famous historical people and events through his tales.
Southside House Today
Southside House is the only historical home in the London area of Merton. It plays an important role in helping people learn about culture and history. It hosts many events, like music concerts, evenings where writers share their work, and special visits for school children. This helps people in the area learn and enjoy history.
The house is managed by a group called the Pennington-Mellor-Munthe Charity Trust. This trust also looks after another family home, Hellens Manor, which is in a different part of England called Herefordshire. In May 2022, Southside House was sold to new owners, starting a new chapter in its long history.
