Historic building gets £4.6m boost (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Historic building gets £4.6m boost

8:58am Monday 2nd July 2007

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An internationally acclaimed architectural landmark has been awarded a £4.6million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards a giant restoration project.

Strawberry Hill House on the site of Twickenham's St Mary's University College will be restored to its former glory after the cash boost, which takes the total restoration fund to £8.2million. The project has also been granted or pledged cash from other sources, including the the City Bridge Trust who awarded £90,000.

Built by Horace Walpole between 1747 and 1790, the house spawned Strawberry Hill gothic which has become an internationally recognised style of architecture.

Michael Snodin, chairman of the Strawberry Hill Trust (SHT) said: "This is a very significant moment in the history of the project as it means that the lease will now be transferred from St Mary's University College to the trust."

Carole Patey, project coordinator, added: "This crucial funding will help to finance the restoration, bringing this extraordinary domestic setting into the public eye.

"The vision is to turn this important heritage property into an innovative and community-serving centre providing enjoyment for audiences locally, nationally and internationally."

SHT was set up in 2002 to take over the ownership of Walpole House at Strawberry Hill, restore it and make it more accessible to visitors.

Strawberry Hill House is the very first domestic gothic house and marks a turning point in the history of architecture.

The house will be open to the public on Sunday afternoons until the end of October and for special tours or educational visits by appointment. Work will begin in 2008 and to be completed and the house opened to the public in 2010.

For more information on the Strawberry Hill Trust contact Carole Patey on 8675 2779 or visit strawberryhilltrust.org.

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