About this property
Walpole House is one of the finest and most interesting Grade I listed Georgian residences in London, set in a truly magical and unique location on Chiswick Mall, within the Old Chiswick Conservation Area. The house provides glorious river views to the front and an enchanting vista over the expansive Grade II listed walled gardens to the rear. Of C16th Tudor origin, the property was re-fronted in 1730 and is the largest and most complex house on the Mall.
There have been many notable owners of Walpole House. It was the last home of Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland and Mistress of King Charles II. The Irish Politician Daniel O’Connell lived here and the Hon. Thomas Walpole, 1727-1803 Nephew of Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole, owned and named Walpole House accordingly.
William Thackeray Makepeace was educated within the house during the time it was a boarding school – as stated in Miss Pinkerton’s Academy in “Vanity Fair” this was surely inspired by his time at Walpole House! Sculpted by one of Britain’s most celebrated artists, Thomas Thornycroft, Boadicea and Her Daughters, lived in plaster for years in ‘Boadicea House’ in the gardens of Walpole House. The statue was finally cast in Bronze by Singer & Sons (Frome) and placed at Westminster Bridge, across from Parliament Square.
John Isaac Thornycroft, Sculptor and Ship Builder (son of Thomas Thornycroft), who also once owned Walpole House, built Britain’s first steam-powered, road-going commercial vehicle in the workshop at ‘Boadicea House’ within the gardens. In more recent years the renowned Conservation Architect Jeremy Benson, lived and worked from Walpole House.
The current custodian and owner of Walpole House has taken meticulous care of the property and updated many aspects with great passion, care and attention over the years. This has resulted in an incredibly elegant and creative interior, within an exceptionally fine period home.
Local information
- Walpole House enviably occupies one of the most beautiful and tranquil positions along the River Thames. Serenely tucked away along Chiswick Mall, this elegant and superior house enjoys uninterrupted and breathtaking views of the river and can boast being one of West London’s premier addresses whilst maintaining a sense of countryside living.
- Chiswick Mall runs along the banks of the River Thames in Chiswick, a unique suburb located in West London, providing easy access to central London via the A4, and via the M4 for Heathrow Airport and the west of England. Turnham Green underground station (District line) is within a short walk.
- Tenure = Freehold
