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51°28′47″N 0°01′02″E / 51.4796°N 0.01733°E / 51.4796; 0.01733

Woodlands House is a Grade II* listed^[1] Georgian villa, next door to Mycenae House, Mycenae Road, in the Westcombe Park area of the Royal Borough of Greenwich. From 1972 to 2003 the building served as a library and art museum, known as the Woodlands Art Gallery. Today it houses a Steiner School.

History[edit]

The building was built on a site leased in 1774 from Sir Gregory Page by John Julius Angerstein (a Lloyd's underwriter). Angerstein made his fortune in the East Indian trade as well as having West Indian business links, including a third share in a slave plantation in Grenada.^[2] His art collection was bought in 1824 to form the nucleus of the National Gallery, London. Angerstein occupied a house in nearby Crooms Hill, Greenwich, while the villa was constructed over the next two years to a design by local architect George Gibson^[3] and was completed in the summer of 1776.

It was described in Daniel Lysons' The Environs of London (1796):

"Woodlands, the seat of John Julius Angerstein, Esq. (between East-Combe and West-Combe), occupies a situation uncommonly beautiful. The surrounding scenery is very picturesque; and the distant view of the river, and the Essex shore, is broken with good effect by the plantations near the house. The grounds were laid out, and the house built about the year 1772, by the present proprietor, who has a small but valuable collection of pictures; among which Sir Joshua Reynolds's celebrated portrait of Garrick between Tragedy and Comedy, the Venus, a well known picture, by the same artist; a fine portrait of Rubens, by Vandyke; and a very beautiful landscape, with cattle, by Cuyp, claim particular notice. The greenhouse is to be remarked for its collection of heaths."^[4]

This photo of Woodlands House appeared in the November 1897 edition of *Cassier's Magazine* as part of an article about Alfred Yarrow.

Angerstein extended Woodlands in the late 18th century, adding a west wing, conservatory, out-buildings and a stable and riding school (most of these were demolished after the sale of the Westcombe estates in 1876). After Angerstein's death in 1823, the property became the family home of his son John Angerstein (who was elected Liberal MP for Greenwich in 1835 and devoted much of his time to development of the Angerstein estates).

In the late 1890s, the property was purchased by the shipbuilder Sir Alfred Fernandez Yarrow. It became the Yarrow family home and later, during the First World War, served as a hostel for Belgian refugees. In the 1920s, it was sold to a Catholic religious order, the Little Sisters of the Assumption, for use as a convent and novitiate; during the 1930s, an adjacent building (today Mycenae House) was constructed to expand the novitiate accommodation.^[5]

Woodlands Art Gallery[edit]

Acquired by the Royal Borough of Greenwich in 1967 after the Little Sisters relocated to Paddington, the house opened as a local history library and contemporary art gallery — known as Woodlands Art Gallery — in 1972. It held an extensive range of solo and group exhibitions.

In October 2003, the local history library was moved to a new site on the Royal Arsenal site in Woolwich^[6] – now the Greenwich Heritage Centre,^[7] and the gallery subsequently closed. The council sought proposals to redevelop Woodlands House, the adjacent Mycenae House and surrounding grounds, with a proposal incorporating premises for a local Steiner School being approved in July 2006.^[8]

References[edit]

^ Historic England. "The Woodlands (1078946)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
^ A Virtual Tour of the Black and Asian Presence, 1500 - 1850. Retrieved: 30 December 2019.
^ Rhind, N. (1983) Blackheath Village & Environs, 1790–1970, Vol 2 (Bookshop Blackheath, London), p.274.
^ From: 'Greenwich', The Environs of London: volume 4: Counties of Herts, Essex & Kent (1796), pp. 426–93. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=45486&strquery=Woodlands%20Blackheath. Date accessed: 24 September 2007."
^ "History". Mycenae House. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
^ Combined Services, 30 July 2003. This is Local London. Accessed: 23 August 2015
^ Greenwich
^ lease

External links[edit]

Media related to Woodlands House at Wikimedia Commons
John Julius Angerstein & Woodlands publication details in the National Art Library
Artsline Online — Woodlands Art Gallery

[1] Historic England. "The Woodlands (1078946)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 February 2017.

[2] A Virtual Tour of the Black and Asian Presence, 1500 - 1850. Retrieved: 30 December 2019.

[3] Rhind, N. (1983) Blackheath Village & Environs, 1790–1970, Vol 2 (Bookshop Blackheath, London), p.274.

[4] From: 'Greenwich', The Environs of London: volume 4: Counties of Herts, Essex & Kent (1796), pp. 426–93. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=45486&strquery=Woodlands%20Blackheath. Date accessed: 24 September 2007."

[MHHistory-5] "History". Mycenae House. Retrieved 28 July 2022.

[6] Combined Services, 30 July 2003. This is Local London. Accessed: 23 August 2015

[7] Greenwich

[8] se

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
 {{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
-{{coord|51|28|48|N|0|1|2|E|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}
+{{coord|51.4796|0.01733|region:GB_type:landmark|display=title}}
 {{For|the house designed by Richard Norman Shaw in Holland Park|Woodland House}}
 [[File:Woodlands, Mycenae Road (geograph 2176986).jpg|thumb|Woodlands House]]
-'''Woodlands House''' is a Grade II* [[Listed building|listed]]<ref>{{NHLE|num=1078946|desc=The Woodlands|accessdate=4 February 2017}}</ref> [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] villa, next door to [[Mycenae House]], Mycenae Road, in the [[Westcombe Park]] area of the [[Royal Borough of Greenwich]].
+'''Woodlands House''' is a Grade II* [[Listed building|listed]]<ref>{{NHLE|num=1078946|desc=The Woodlands|accessdate=4 February 2017}}</ref> [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] villa, next door to [[Mycenae House]], Mycenae Road, in the [[Westcombe Park]] area of the [[Royal Borough of Greenwich]]. From 1972 to 2003 the building served as a library and art museum, known as the '''Woodlands Art Gallery'''. Today it houses a [[Waldorf education|Steiner School]].
 ==History==
-The building was built on a site leased in 1774 from Sir [[Sir Gregory Page, 2nd Baronet|Gregory Page]] by [[John Julius Angerstein]] (a [[Lloyd's of London|Lloyd's]] [[underwriter]] whose art collection was bought in 1824 to form the nucleus of the [[National Gallery, London]]). While Angerstein occupied a house in nearby Crooms Hill, Greenwich, the villa was constructed over the next two years to a design by local [[architect]] George Gibson<ref>[[Neil Rhind|Rhind, N.]] (1983) Blackheath Village & Environs, 1790–1970, Vol 2 (Bookshop Blackheath, London), p.274.</ref> and was completed in the summer of 1776.
+The building was built on a site leased in 1774 from Sir [[Sir Gregory Page, 2nd Baronet|Gregory Page]] by [[John Julius Angerstein]] (a [[Lloyd's of London|Lloyd's]] [[underwriter]]). Angerstein made his fortune in the East Indian trade as well as having West Indian business links, including a third share in a slave plantation in [[Grenada]].<ref>[https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/blackhistory/journeys/virtual_tour_html/london/greenwich.htm A Virtual Tour of the Black and Asian Presence, 1500 - 1850]. Retrieved: 30 December 2019.</ref> His art collection was bought in 1824 to form the nucleus of the [[National Gallery, London]]. Angerstein occupied a house in nearby Crooms Hill, Greenwich, while the villa was constructed over the next two years to a design by local [[architect]] George Gibson<ref>[[Neil Rhind|Rhind, N.]] (1983) Blackheath Village & Environs, 1790–1970, Vol 2 (Bookshop Blackheath, London), p.274.</ref> and was completed in the summer of 1776.
-It was described in [[Daniel Lysons]]' ''The Environs of London'' (1796):
+It was described in [[Daniel Lysons (antiquarian)|Daniel Lysons]]' ''The Environs of London'' (1796):
-<blockquote>"Woodlands, the seat of John Julius Angerstein, Esq. (between East-Combe and [[Westcombe Park|West-Combe]]), occupies a situation uncommonly beautiful. The surrounding scenery is very picturesque; and the distant view of the river, and the [[Essex]] shore, is broken with good effect by the plantations near the house. The grounds were laid out, and the house built about the year 1772, by the present proprietor, who has a small but valuable collection of pictures; among which Sir [[Joshua Reynolds]]'s celebrated portrait of [[David Garrick|Garrick]] between Tragedy and Comedy, the Venus, a well known picture, by the same artist; a fine portrait of [[Peter Paul Rubens|Rubens]], by [[Anthony van Dyck|Vandyke]]; and a very beautiful landscape, with cattle, by [[Cuyp]], claim particular notice. The greenhouse is to be remarked for its collection of heaths."<ref>
+<blockquote>"Woodlands, the seat of John Julius Angerstein, Esq. (between East-Combe and [[Westcombe Park|West-Combe]]), occupies a situation uncommonly beautiful. The surrounding scenery is very picturesque; and the distant view of the river, and the [[Essex]] shore, is broken with good effect by the plantations near the house. The grounds were laid out, and the house built about the year 1772, by the present proprietor, who has a small but valuable collection of pictures; among which Sir [[Joshua Reynolds]]'s celebrated portrait of [[David Garrick Between Tragedy and Comedy|Garrick between Tragedy and Comedy]], the Venus, a well known picture, by the same artist; a fine portrait of [[Peter Paul Rubens|Rubens]], by [[Anthony van Dyck|Vandyke]]; and a very beautiful landscape, with cattle, by [[Cuyp]], claim particular notice. The greenhouse is to be remarked for its collection of heaths."<ref>
 From: 'Greenwich', The Environs of London: volume 4: Counties of Herts, Essex & Kent (1796), pp. 426–93. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=45486&strquery=Woodlands%20Blackheath. Date accessed: 24 September 2007."</ref></blockquote>
+[[File:Woodlands House - Cassier's 1897-11.png|thumb|This photo of Woodlands House appeared in the November 1897 edition of ''[[Cassier's Magazine]]'' as part of an article about [[Alfred Yarrow]].]]
 Angerstein extended Woodlands in the late 18th century, adding a west wing, conservatory, out-buildings and a stable and riding school (most of these were demolished after the sale of the Westcombe estates in 1876). After Angerstein's death in 1823, the property became the family home of his son [[John Angerstein (MP)|John Angerstein]] (who was elected [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal]] [[Member of Parliament (UK)|MP]] for Greenwich in 1835 and devoted much of his time to development of the Angerstein estates).
-In the late 1890s, the property was purchased by the shipbuilder Sir [[Alfred Yarrow|Alfred Fernandez Yarrow]]. It became the Yarrow family home and later, during the [[First World War]], served as a hostel for Belgian refugees. In the 1920s, it was sold to a [[Catholic]] religious order, the Little Sisters of the Assumption, for use as a [[convent]].
+In the late 1890s, the property was purchased by the shipbuilder Sir [[Alfred Yarrow|Alfred Fernandez Yarrow]]. It became the Yarrow family home and later, during the [[First World War]], served as a hostel for Belgian refugees. In the 1920s, it was sold to a [[Catholic]] religious order, the [[Little Sisters of the Assumption]], for use as a [[convent]] and [[novitiate]]; during the 1930s, an adjacent building (today [[Mycenae House]]) was constructed to expand the novitiate accommodation.<ref name="MHHistory">{{cite web |title=History |url=https://mycenaehouse.co.uk/about/history/ |website=Mycenae House |access-date=28 July 2022}}</ref>
 == Woodlands Art Gallery ==
-Acquired by the [[Royal Borough of Greenwich]] in 1967, the house opened as a [[local history]] library and [[contemporary art]] gallery — known as '''Woodlands Art Gallery''' — in 1972.   It held an extensive range of solo and group exhibitions.
+Acquired by the [[Royal Borough of Greenwich]] in 1967 after the Little Sisters relocated to [[Paddington]], the house opened as a [[local history]] library and [[contemporary art]] gallery — known as Woodlands Art Gallery — in 1972. It held an extensive range of solo and group exhibitions.
 In October 2003, the local history library was moved to a new site on the [[Royal Arsenal]] site in [[Woolwich]]<ref>[http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/398196.Combined_services/ Combined Services], 30 July 2003. ''This is Local London''. Accessed: 23 August 2015</ref> – now the [[Greenwich Heritage Centre]],<ref>[http://www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/LeisureCulture/HistoryAndHeritage/HeritageCentre Greenwich]</ref> and the gallery subsequently closed. The council sought proposals to redevelop Woodlands House, the adjacent Mycenae House and surrounding grounds, with a proposal incorporating premises for a local [[Waldorf education|Steiner School]] being approved in July 2006.<ref>[http://www.thisislewisham.co.uk/display.var.818117.0.school_secures_150year_lease.php lease]</ref>
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 * [http://catalogue.nal.vam.ac.uk/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=12092A9U40G22.34434&profile=nal&source=~!horizon&view=items&uri=full=3100001~!647958~!7&ri=10&aspect=subtab114&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=Woodlands+Art+Gallery+%28London%2C+England%29.&index=&uindex=&aspect=subtab114&menu=search&ri=10#focus   John Julius Angerstein & Woodlands publication details in the National Art Library]
 * [http://www.artslineonline.com/venues/venue0043.shtml Artsline Online — Woodlands Art Gallery]
+{{Authority control}}
-[[Category:Art museums and galleries in London]]
+[[Category:Defunct contemporary art galleries in London]]
-[[Category:Contemporary art galleries in the United Kingdom]]
 [[Category:Libraries in the Royal Borough of Greenwich]]
 [[Category:1776 establishments in England]]
 [[Category:Houses in the Royal Borough of Greenwich]]
+[[Category:Country houses in London]]
 [[Category:Defunct museums in London]]
 [[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in the Royal Borough of Greenwich]]
 [[Category:Grade II* listed houses in London]]
+[[Category:Former religious buildings and structures in London]]