Photo credit: © Lucy Sutton-Long
One of London’s most famous houses is Strawberry Hill. Originally called Chopped Straw Hall, the seventeenth century cottage was bought by Horace Walpole in 1748 with a vision of transforming it into a “little Gothic castle”. It took several years to complete but became the first example of Gothic Revival architecture.
The most breath-taking room of the house is the gallery which Walpole described as “all Gothicism and gold and crimson and looking glass”. Incredibly, the stunning fan-vaulted ceiling is made from papier mâché and gold leaf.
Walpole changed the name of the villa to Strawberry Hill after finding out that it was built on land called Strawberry Hill Shot.
Strawberry Hill is within easy reach of the beautiful Kew Gardens and historic Richmond Park, which makes for an ideal day out.
