Stratfield Saye House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stratfield Saye House |
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| Type | Country house |
| Location | Stratfield Saye |
| OS grid reference | SU 70018 61566 |
| Area | Hampshire |
| Owner | Duke of Wellington |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: Stratfield Saye House | |
| Designated | 26 Apr 1957 |
| Reference no. | 1092773 |
| Official name: Stratfield Saye Park | |
| Designated | 31 May 1984 |
| Reference no. | 1000866 |
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Stratfield Saye House is a grand country house located in the north-east of Hampshire, England. It has been the family home of the Dukes of Wellington since 1817. This historic estate holds many stories, especially about the famous Duke of Wellington.
Contents
A Look Back: Early History of Stratfield Saye
The land where Stratfield Saye House stands has a long history. An ancient Roman Road called the Devil's Highway actually runs along the northern edge of the estate.
The area we now know as Stratfield Saye was once two separate pieces of land. In the 1100s, one part belonged to the Stoteville family. Then, in the early 1200s, it became part of the Saye family's property through a marriage.
Later, before 1370, the estate changed hands again through another marriage, going to the Dabridgecourts family. In 1629, the Dabridgecourts sold the property to the Pitt family. This family was related to some important British Prime Ministers.
How the House Grew Over Time
The main part of Stratfield Saye House was made much bigger around 1630. This work was done by Sir William Pitt, who was an important official for King James I. Sir William's oldest son, Edward Pitt, bought the estate for £4,800 in 1629.
More big changes were made to the house and its park in the 1700s. These improvements were carried out by George Pitt, 1st Baron Rivers.
How the Duke of Wellington Got His Home
The British government bought the Stratfield Saye estate in 1817. They wanted to give it as a gift to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, who was a hero after winning the Battle of Waterloo. The government even offered £600,000 to build a grand "Waterloo Palace" for him. This new palace was meant to be as impressive as Blenheim Palace, the home of the Dukes of Marlborough.
The Duke of Wellington chose the Stratfield Saye estate in Hampshire, which was about 5,000 acres. This estate was owned by the Pitt family at the time. An architect named Benjamin Dean Wyatt, who used to be the Duke's private secretary, helped him with the purchase.
Originally, the Duke planned to tear down the existing house and build a new, grander home called Waterloo Palace. However, these plans were too expensive and were stopped in 1821. Instead, the Duke added many new parts and made improvements to the house that was already there. Most of the Dukes of Wellington are buried at Stratfield Saye House.
The Wellington Exhibition: A Glimpse into History
The old stables at Stratfield Saye House are now a special museum called the Wellington Exhibition. These stables are considered important historical buildings.
The exhibition shows the life and times of the 1st Duke of Wellington. It has a large collection of military items and souvenirs from his career. You can even see the Duke's funeral carriage there. This carriage is made from bronze, created by melting down French cannons that were captured during the Battle of Waterloo. It was moved to Stratfield Saye in the 1980s.
The Duke of Wellington Commemorative Column
A tall column stands at the entrance to Stratfield Saye House. It is called the Duke of Wellington Commemorative Column. This column has a fancy design and is topped with a bronze statue of the Duke. The statue was made by Baron Carlo Marochetti. You can see the column from the A33. It was put up in 1863 to honor the Duke.
Stratfield Saye's Name Travels Far
The name "Stratfield Saye House" has traveled all the way to Australia!
- Strathfieldsaye, which is now a suburb of Bendigo in Victoria, Australia, was named after Stratfield Saye House.
- From 1861 to 1994, there was also a local government area called the Shire of Strathfieldsaye.
- The name of Strathfield, a suburb of Sydney, Australia, also comes from Stratfield Saye House.
- Other nearby suburbs like North Strathfield and Strathfield South, and the Municipality of Strathfield also share this origin.
Images for kids
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Stratfield Saye House
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The coachhouses and stable blocks at Stratfield Saye House.
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The Wellington Memorial at the entrance to Stratfield Saye House.
See also
- Apsley House – the London home of the Dukes of Wellington
- Waterloo ceremony
- Walmer Castle – the residence of the 1st Duke as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports
