Marble Hill House

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coordinates: 51°26′58″N, 0°18′48″W

Marble Hill House is a Palladian villa on the River Thames in Twickenham, southwest London situated halfway between Richmond and Twickenham. The architect was Roger Morris, who collaborated with Henry Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, one of the "architect earls", in adapting a more expansive design by Colen Campbell.

Marble Hill House was built in 1724-1729 for Henrietta Howard, Countess of Suffolk, the mistress of King George II. It is set in 66 acres (2.67km²) of parkland, the Marble Hill park. The Great Room has 5 architectural capricci by Giovanni Paolo Pannini and lavishly gilded decoration. The Marble Hill house also hosts a collection of early Georgian furniture and paintings as well as the Lazenby Bequest Chinoiserie collection.

The house is now owned by English Heritage which acquired it upon the abolishment of the Greater London Council in 1986. The house along with its extensive gardens are known as Marble Hill Park and provide many facilities including a cricket pitch and nets, tennis courts, putting green and a children's play area.

Hammerton's Ferry links the gardens to Ham House on the opposite bank of the river.

[edit] External links

• English Heritage - information for visitors
• English Heritage - information for teachers - including floor plans