Gunnersbury House

Gunnersbury House is the smaller of two houses built to replace one that was demolished after Princess Amelia's death in 1786. It was constructed between 1801 and 1802 for Stephen Cosser and was owned by Major Alexander Morison from 1808. The house has suffered war damage to its interior. It is two storeys tall, featuring a cornice and a pierced roof parapet, and is finished in stucco. The north front has a recessed centre with three sets of three sash windows, all set in a moulded architrave with a keystone. The early porch remains unaltered, showcasing fluted Doric columns and an entablature with a blocking course. The south front also has a recessed centre and bows, with three sets of three windows, mostly sash except for three French windows. A central ground floor Chinoiserie verandah features cast iron columns and a bell ornament. Between 1837 and 1844, a service wing was added by Peacock, which is fronted on the south by an orangery that is rusticated with seven arches between pilasters. The windows are mostly sash, except for half-glazed end doors in coved reveals under open pediments. The house was lent to genteel guests of the Rothschilds for weekend use and has been damaged by fire. It is now intended to be used as a gardeners' educational centre as of December 1968.