The Old Conduit House Hampstead, London
During my time in London this year, when on one of my walks, I discovered the Old Conduit House at 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Hampstead, London NW3- a semi-detached house in which is listed Grade II on the National Heritage List for England, along with the conjoining 3 Lyndhurst Terrace.1
This historical property has "roots" which date back to 1864 and 1865 when it was originally built as two houses within one by the stained glass manufacturers John Burlison and his son-in-law, Alfred Bell (of the firm Clayton and Bell). Tomorrow Julie is going to present more about these two artists and their stained glass work.
Burlison was Bell's father-in-law and a door originally separated the two properties. The houses were originally named Oswald House and Barford House and were combined into a single residence after Burlison's death in 1868 and renamed Bayford House. Charles Buckridge designed a Gothic interior for Bell in the new house.2
There was also another building, Conduit Lodge built in the grounds of Bayford house as a wedding present for Alfred Bell's daughter - the lodge was later demolished. 2
The buildings were constructed near to Conduit Fields, meadows with a source of drinking water called Shepherd's Well where a network of conduits supplied water to the City of London. Fitzjohn's Avenue was built over the source in 1875, with the site of the well being marked by a drinking fountain and plaque.1
If you would like to learn more about the importance of Hampstead to providing water to the growing city of London and see some wonderful early paintings of the area and more recent photos, please click on the bookmark link below. You will not be disappointed!!
The artist and author, Ernest Goodwin, bought Bayford House around 1931 and renamed it Old Conduit House in 1934. Goodwin lived there until his death in 1944. His widow remained living in the house until 1994. The upper floors of Old Conduit House were divided into bedsits in the 20th century. The novelist Fay Weldon was a frequent visitor and wrote about the house in her 1995 novel Splitting.2
Burlison Sr. died in 1868 and Bell's family took over the whole building naming it Bayford House, after the village he lived in as a child in Dorset. The interior was renovated to a wildly ornamented gothic style by Bell and Charles Buckeridge (1833-1873), who was married to his sister-in-law Ann (Burlison) Buckeridge (bef.1834-1919).1
A detailed account of the interior of Bayford House was written by Bell's grandson, who knew it intimately:1
"Upon entering the front door the outer wall presented the appearance of a medieval castle. The floor was laid with white marble and panels of tiles of medieval design. The walls were of rough yellow brickwork with a centre column from which sprang the groined roof. The principal staircase was of yellow brickwork with wooden Gothic ballustres.1
Old Conduit House has undergone numerous transformations over the centuries. Its location, nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Hampstead, reflects the area’s rich heritage, which has long been a retreat for London’s artists, intellectuals, and affluent residents. The Old Conduit House, with its charming architecture, stands as a reminder of the period when Hampstead was still a rural village, providing an escape from the bustle of the capital.
If you would like to read an indepth account of the history of Old Conduit House please follow the bookmark link below.
And don't forget to click-in tomorrow to read the first of Julie's posts about the stained glass makers who built the Old Conduit House.
Credits
1. wikitree.com
2. en.wikipedia.org