Sandycombe Lodge was the country retreat of JMW Turner from 1813 to 1826. The painter, who originally trained as an architect, designed the house for himself and his father and, although subject to later alteration, it remains the only surviving property in this country designed by a major artist for his own use.  It is currently on English Heritage’s Heritage at Risk register but, thanks to the HLF grant, the Grade II* listed structure will now be sensitively restored by Turner’s House Trust.

Later additions to the early 19th-century property will be removed to return it to Turner’s own design. Period furnishing will be minimal presenting a number of thought provoking themes for visitors, including Turner the painter, his personal and domestic life, Turner the architect and  the historical context of the period in which the artist lived.

Visitors will in future have the benefit of state-of-the-art digital technology providing information via a new website and through mobile devices while those with restricted mobility will be able to enjoy a 3D virtual tour of the first floor and basement of the property.

The project will build on existing educational programmes with special access for professionals and students involved in architecture and conservation while new opportunities for volunteer training will be created. A collection of artworks relating to Turner will be cleaned and catalogued as part of the furnishing of the restored house.

At present The Lodge is only open to the public one afternoon per month and for special events with group visits booked by arrangement. After the restoration is completed in 2016 it will be open for 46 weeks per year. Throughout the entire consultation and planning process for the project Turner’s House Trust has acknowledged that it is extremely sensitive to the issues of opening a small historic property in a residential area.

Blondel Cluff, Chair of the HLF London Committee, said: “Interest in Turner has never been greater, as reflected in the success of the recent biographical film and the current exhibition of his work at Tate Britain. The restoration of this modest, classical property introduces us to Turner, the architect, adding a whole new dimension to our understanding of this great artist.  Sandycombe allows us all to literally walk inside the work of one of the world’s leading artists - a truly unique experience."

Turner’s House Trust Chair Catherine Parry-Wingfield, said: “HLF’s award is the most wonderful news and will allow the Trust to bring this beautiful building back to life.”

The project calls for the recruitment of more than 60 volunteers to carry out a range of roles including stewards, hosts, tour guides and gardeners. There will be INSET days for teachers and arts professionals in the restored house and two one-year heritage traineeships and trainee placements for a carpenter and joiner.
 

Further information

Vicky Wilford, HLF press office, on tel: 020 7591 6046 / 07973 401937, and email: vickyw@hlf.org.uk;  or Phil Cooper, HLF press office, on tel: 07889 949173.

Rosemary Vaux, Turner’s House Trust, on tel: 020 8943 5343 or mobile: 07792 72 62 41

Notes for Editors

• Turner sold the property and moved out in 1826. Later additions included the addition of a first floor to the two single storey wings and a box-like two-storey extension to the north wall. These will be removed and repairs carried out to the roof, brickwork, windows and metalwork. The ground floor WC will be re-modelled to make it fully accessible and the garden will be re-modelled and replanted.
• Between 1947 and 2010 the house was owned by Professor Harold Livermore and his wife (Mrs Livermore died in 1997). Following Prof. Livermore’s death his collection of works of art including oil paintings, watercolours, drawings, prints, engravings and books were donated to the Turner’s House Trust creating what is termed the Livermore Bequest.
• Turner was good friends with architect Sir John Soane and Sandycombe Lodge has many features in common with Soane’s own London house in Lincoln’s Inn Fields and with Soane’s country house Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing.