The architectural treasures of Walpole House

Peregrine Bryant first visited Walpole House many decades ago. Having studied architecture at Cambridge, he soon joined a small architectural firm run by Jeremy and Patricia Benson. This practice was based at Walpole House, which had been in Jeremy’s family since it was purchased by his grandfather in 1926.

Jeremy Benson was a highly respected architect and conservationist, who had carefully maintained the house and its garden. The house was also a precious resource for anyone working on historic buildings. ‘Because this building has elements from every century from the sixteenth century onwards,’ Peregrine explains, ‘if you wanted to see a detail to refer to for another house we were working on, you would just walk around the house and find it.’

Peregrine not only became friends with the Benson family, but spent many years working in an office on the property’s ground floor. When Jeremy retired, Peregrine established his own practice at nearby Fulham Palace. But the current owner of Walpole House regularly consulted him on its restoration, most recently on repairs to the brickwork at the rear of the property.

When the present owner acquired property, they not only updated the heating and wiring, but also installed a service kitchen, reinforced the roof of the drawing room, and carried out extensive internal renovation. Nonetheless, the decoration of the interior has retained and conserved the Georgian fabric and spirit, with a tasteful minimalist design that emphasises the large windows and lofty proportions.

One of Peregrine’s favourite features is the splendid oak staircase at the centre of the house. The quality of the workmanship is clear from the turned balusters, carved foliate brackets and Corinthian pilasters with finely carved capitals in the dado panelling. As with many traditional Georgian houses, the symmetry of the rear façade is maintained thanks to the panelling enclosing two windows where the staircase runs across them.

That said, many of the property’s Tudor details remain hidden. For instance, the original timber frame was once exposed in a ground floor room, but has since been covered over. However, the outline of the seventeenth-century house can still be read in the first-floor drawing room. Its grand proportions, asymmetric shape and large external chimney stacks indicate that this was once a Tudor hall, now hidden by Georgian panelling.

Perhaps Peregrine’s favourite rooms are those in the projecting bay at the eastern corner of the house, particularly on the second floor where the views up, down and across the Thames are sensational. ‘Overall,’ he adds, ‘it’s a house that is close to my heart, as indeed it has been, and will be, for those lucky enough to live or work in it’

Since leaving Jeremy Benson’s firm, Peregrine has built his own distinguished reputation. He has worked on alms houses, members clubs, manor houses, and the Royal Hospital Chelsea. When it comes to owning historic properties, Peregrine’s philosophy is simple:

‘The owners have to appreciate that nothing is forever. In houses like this, something always needs attention.’ Owners of such properties are also custodians of this country’s history. However, they also have the chance to live somewhere utterly unique.

Returning to Walpole House is a trip down memory lane for Peregrine. He remembers the strawberry grape vine still growing in the front yard, an ancient mulberry growing in the rear garden, and also recalls that in the 1930s the current kitchen was used as a dedicated telephone room. Furthermore, he tells of guests being invited to watch the Oxford and Cambridge boat race from the roof of the property, with the rival boats speeding past on the far side of the Eyot.

It’s fair to say that few know Walpole House as well as Peregrine Bryant. So, what advice does he have for any future owner? ‘This house needs someone to fall in love with it and accept the responsibilities that come from owning it. But,’ he concludes, ‘the rewards will be enormous.’

Peregrine Bryant Architects are a firm of architects, interior designers and conservation specialists with an exceptional reputation for working with historic buildings. Peregrine has himself now retired as director but continues to offer architectural consultancy and advice.