Tags
Breaker's Yard, Chapel, Homerton Hospital, LinenfoldParlour, Naational Trust, Sir Ralph Sadleir, Sutton House
Thursday 26th October – 36 meeting of 2017
A change of day to Thursday this week for us as we planned to visit the National Trust property of Sutton House which is not open on Tuesdays. This property is in Hackney so for us a journey on main line to London Bridge, Jubilee line to Stratford and then Overground line to Hackney Central which was quite easy although there was a bit of confusion at Stratford when two of our ladies managed to get separated and went off in the direction of Westfield shopping centre but all was rectified with a phone call or two!!
The house opened at 12 o’clock and as we arrived early we made the short walk to Homerton Hospital for a coffee. The hospital was very busy but we managed to get a table and enjoy a drink and snack. Walking back to the house the rain started and thankfully we all had hoods or umbrellas.
We were greeted at the entrance by the Manager who gave us a quick introduction to the history of the house and a map to explore at our own pace. This being half term the House was holding a Halloween event for children and the house had lots of Halloween decorations, pumpkins, skeletons, cobwebs, witches and the like.
Sutton House is 500 years old and the oldest of National Trust properties and also the oldest house in East London. To start it was built as a Tudor Palace with added buildings through the ages Georgian, Victorian and in the 1980’s it was used as a squat before the local community rallied together to save Sutton House. The National Trust now cares for it and it is used as a thriving community venue.
The first room showed models of how the house has been developed and also models of the area of Hackney. The panelling on the walls could be opened to show the original brick walls of the fire place. The house is on two levels. The Linenfold Parlour was part of the original house built by Sir Ralph Sadleir in 1535. Very dark with wood panelling throughout. There were treasure chests with items of the era to look at. I must say that this house was very child friendly and exciting. There was the Cellar, Gallery, Little Chamber, Great Chamber, Victorian Study, Squatter’sRoom Georgian Parlour, Chapel and the Tudor Kitchen to explore. Lots of twists and turns and staircases which made it hard to work out the lay-out.
In the Little Chamber was a recording of dogs barking and the volunteer told us of the story of the death of Sir Ralph and his dogs that will not leave and haunt the house. He also told us that Sutton House is the most haunted house in London! All adding to the Halloween atmosphere! The squatter’s room from 1980’s was really fascinating. Bright paintings on the walls, a bed made from pallets, odds and ends of clothing and possessions. The volunteer told us that some of the paintings are original with some restored but that the people who were squatters in the 80’s came back to the house and recreated the room with their own personal items and belongs.
Outside the Courtyard was very nice with some table and chairs and the Breaker’s Yard was a fabulous area created to playfully celebrate the industrial history of the site when it was a leather making area and a car breaker’s Yard.
We had a great time at Sutton House which was a very interesting and enjoyable National Trust property. With the rain still falling we made our way back to Hackney Central station and our journeys home.