Walpole House

Walpole House is a late 17th and early 18th century house of brown brick with red dressings, located on Chiswick Mall. It is a five-story building with a 1:2:3:2 arrangement of double-hung sashes, each with a flat arch. Projecting wings are recessed, particularly to the left-hand centre. A notable feature is the excellent porch, which has Corinthian pilasters on plinths supporting an entablature, enclosing panelled Tuscan pilasters. The porch’s elliptical arch has a keystone, flanked by round-headed side arches, and contains a six-panel door with architrave and fanlight. Bands mark the first and second floors, and a modillion cornice runs along the top. The roof is tiled.

The interior contains fine original panelling in the hall and the main rooms of the ground and first floors. The staircase features turned balusters and a panelled dado with miniature, fluted Corinthian pilasters. A particularly noteworthy detail is the excellent Adam-style mantelpiece in the ground floor South East room.

Historically, the house may have been occupied by Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland, between 1707 and 1709. Daniel O’Connell lodged here for some years while he studied law. It is also suggested that William Makepeace Thackeray was educated at a school located here, and Miss Pinkerton’s Academy, as featured in “Vanity Fair,” may have been inspired by Walpole House. The house, together with the railings of Morton House, Strawbery House, railings and gate to Strawbery House, and gates and screen to Walpole House, forms a group of historic buildings.