 The Ranger's House
As a Crown property, this elegant house became a 'grace and favour' residence
for the Ranger of Greenwich Park in the early 19th century and it has
subsequently been known as the Ranger's House. But the history of the
red brick villa began more than 100 years prior to this.
At the beginning of the 18th century the land skirting the Royal Park, and
opening out onto Blackheath, was not only a prestigious location but one
much favoured by gentlemen seafarers because of its proximity to the
River Thames. It was here that Admiral Francis Hosier built his house,
thereby improving his social circle and maintaining his important financial
connections. As a serving officer, it seems unlikely that Hosier enjoyed
much time in his home during the 27 years he lived at the property. From
an inventory taken after his death, the house appeared to contain some
fine walnut furnishings, but little else in the way of decorations or
ornaments.
When the 4th Earl of Chesterfield inherited The Ranger's House from his brother
in 1748 he was indifferent to its modest proportions, and would have
preferred a retreat further 'up river' which, by then, had become the
more fashionable outskirts of London. However, he immediately set about
transforming the comfortable but sombre villa into a substantial country
house, enlarging and remodelling the accommodation to provide sufficient
areas for entertaining, as well as a range of rooms for the servants.
Most summers would be spent here on Blackheath, overlooking the great
park at the back of his house, and he eventually became very attached
to the place remaining there for 25 years until his death. The Earl's
impressive extension was a room of massive proportions built primarily
to house his growing collection of Old Masters. Now superbly restored,
The Gallery is a fine example of Palladian architecture with a fine coffered
ceiling and three enormous bays, creating light and space.
Ten years later The Ranger's
House was bought by a barrister, who further extended the property with
a north wing. Just seven years later he died and by 1807 the house was
occupied by George III's sister who remained there until her death in
1813. By 1815 it had become the official residence of the Royal Park's
Ranger, succeeding the Queen's House
in Greenwich Park, which had since fallen into a state of disrepair. Until the end of the century The Ranger's
House was inhabited by various minor royals and distinguished Crown
servants, and that was the last time it was used as a home.
The Council purchased the house in 1902, subsequently demolished the portico,
and converted the interior to changing rooms for use by the local athletics
clubs. By the 1920s it was being used as tea rooms, and finally it was
requisitioned by the army during the Second World War. With many of the
outbuildings knocked down, and others derelict through bomb damage, the
future of The Ranger's House looked uncertain. Under pressure from local
lobbying, the Council restored the house in 1960 and used it for history
exhibitions. From this point it has gone from strength to strength and
is now fully restored and furnished as it might have been in the Admiral's
day, and boasts an outstanding collection of paintings and treasures from
the recently sold mansion Luton Hoo. |
