Wanstead House Grotto, follies and folly towers at follytowers.com. (original) (raw)

W a n s t e a d H o u s e
G r o t t o

Photo Submitted by, and Copyright of :- J P Zajac.

This is one of those places where the casual visitor may be unaware of what once existed here. Wanstead House with its extensive gardens, was once one of the finest houses in the country, but the burden of debt forced the demolition of the house in 1824, with the added humiliation for the owners of having to endure a public auction to sell the contents.
The auction started on Monday 10th June 1822 and lasted for 31 days, during which time virtually all manner of things passed under the hammer, from paintings to fine wine and sculpture.
After the house was demolished even the building's stone was sold to try and pay off the debts that were still outstanding.

The estate first appeared in historical records in the late 13th century, and in the early 1700's Sir Richard Child bought it and demolished the then existing house, to build himself this grand Palladium style one.
As we all know first impressions count, and the initial view of the house with its portico of six Corinthian columns must surely have stayed in the visitors' minds.
The inside was sumptuous by all accounts, and a painting by Hogarth, 'Assembly at Wanstead House', is still in existence which shows the drawing room in all its glory.

The estate's demise was mainly due to one man, William Pole Wellesley, who married Catherine, the daughter of Sir James Tylney Long - a later owner. Catherine had inherited the estate on her father's death.
Wellesley soon went and squandered Catherine's fortune, forcing the sale of the property to cover their debts.
It is thought that the grotto and also a temple [see link below] were built around 1760. The grotto sits at the head of the lake which had its water level raised by diverting the river Roding that runs through the area.

Continued Page 2

Temple and Grotto [close up],

Co-Ords: 541750 187250 / TQ 415871

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