please empty your brain below
Were the chimney stacks a later addition, or did someone actually design it like that.

Still anon | 03.09.17 - 7:51 a.m. | #

Indeed, it was designed like that. Around 1693 (from a date scratched on a brick in one of the chimneystacks) so perhaps we can excuse the unknown architect. Pevsner remarks on its eccentricity, but also says it is the best individual house in Hampstead.

I was going to recommend A London Inheritance again, but you referred to it already. His father's photos from the 1940s and 1950s are a real treat, and the 21st century recreations of them.

Andrew | 03.09.17 - 9:21 a.m. | #

Is this a post that's being written throughout the day, or are you testing to see who the early readers are?

Joe B | 03.09.17 - 9:53 a.m. | #

The harpsichords et. al belonged to Major G H Benton Fletcher, a rather more interesting figure than Lady Benning.

Prior to Fenton House, they had spent several years in Old Devonshire House on Boswell Street in Holborn. Benton Fletcher wisely had them shipped out to Gloucestershire before the Luftwaffe obliterated the building and many others like it north of Theobalds Road in May 1941.

HoosierSands | Homepage | 03.09.17 - 10:36 a.m. | #

The drawing in the link appears to show the stacks at the front were partially set into the roof line on both sides of each chimney, but compared with the photos, the innermost sides were cut back - perhaps when the porch was added, the central section was widened and the two side wings were narrowed, the bricked up window above the door was the only one.

So it may have all balanced when it was first constructed.

Still anon | 03.09.17 - 12:38 p.m. | #

Funnily enough I was there just four days ago. Go to the Fenton House Facebook page, and you can see me pilfering an apple from that orchard!

Richard M | 03.09.17 - 3:46 p.m. | #

You can access the balcony through a door in the attic. When I was last there (a couple of weeks ago) I was told that the balcony was closed, as they were trying to capture pigeons. A few minutes later they did open it for some other visitors and I had a look. The view is good, though I wouldn't call it panoramic.

Maria | 03.09.17 - 8:41 p.m. | #

Certainly the four large chimneystacks are original features.

As for the peculiar weather-boarded dormers on the east front, as I understand it, "Fenton House remains structurally faithful. It has not undergone significant alterations in its 300 years of being occupied."

http://www.londonmuseums.org/national-trust-properties/Fenton-House.html

So I assume they are original.

It was formerly known as Ostend House (not clear why: perhaps the original owner was a merchant with interests in Belgium) and then Clock House, due to the clock (now gone) in the circular feature above the 19th century portico added by Fenton when he made the east front the main entrance. So perhaps the dormers were added then.

Does the guidebook says more?

Fascinating place.

Andrew | 04.09.17 - 5:27 p.m. | #











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