Fifteen Years Ago Today…

Fifteen Years Ago…

By Nevil Tomlinson

At 12 noon on 2nd October 2010 the first timed ticket group entered the newly restored Strawberry Hill. It was not just the culmination of the achievement of many dedicated people; it was also the start of a brave new world.

Lady Waldegrave restored Walpole’s house in 1856 and St Mary’s College adapted it in the 1920s, but it was always going to be a fight against the ravages of time. As Horace Walpole wrote ‘My buildings are paper, like my writings, and both will be blown away in ten years after I am dead’.  Public and political opinion slowly swung behind preserving historic houses, with legislation in 1947 to create listed building status and the beneficial creation of the Heritage Lottery Fund in 1994. Years of lobbying, fundraising and planning led to a two-year building project that commenced in 2008. There was a brave forecast that the house would open before the end of 2010. By the summer of that year there was a frenetic push to finish on time, with dozens of workmen on site. It was finished on time and on budget and faithfully used eighteenth century materials and methods; a tremendous achievement.

Alongside the building work, we had to create an historic house business operation from scratch and recruit and train countless volunteers, all ready for October 2010; this was no small achievement for an independent trust. We have made many refinements since, with alterations to opening times, prices, entrances, exits, booklets etc as we learn from experience. We will always love filming and photoshoots, even if they can be disruptive. We have received museum accreditation and that has allowed us to slowly fill those empty rooms that were a feature of the house when it opened in 2010.

Have the objectives of the restoration been achieved? In 2005 we aspired ‘to secure and restore the house and garden and make it accessible in every sense to a wide range of visitors.’ We can honestly say that we have done just that; the house continues to have a universal appeal and has now attracted 250,000 visitors since the grand opening.

Looking ahead, Strawberry Hill continues to evolve. Building on the spirit of the 2010 reopening, we remain committed to protecting Horace Walpole’s “little Gothic castle” while finding new ways to share it with the widest possible audience. This autumn we unveil Henry VIII’s Lost Dagger: From the Tudor Court to the Victorian Stage, a landmark exhibition that brings fresh research and international loans to Strawberry Hill. Just as the restoration was a collective effort, the future of the house lies in collaboration—with our visitors, supporters, and partners—ensuring that Strawberry Hill continues to inspire imagination for generations to come.

If you’re interested in supporting the house, the best way is by becoming a Member, or Patron, enjoying free entry and special benefits while helping us care for Strawberry Hill and all it represents.