DiCamillo Companion
England

Danson House (Danson Park) (Danson Hill)

  • Built / Designed For: Sir John Boyd

    House & Family History: Early records show that an estate at Danson probably existed since before the 13th century, when the estate would have been arable land, pasture, and woodlands. The 18th century layout of the park is attributed to Capability Brown and a Mr. Richmond. The house, erected between 1762 and 1767 and designed by Robert Taylor, was built in the style of a classic Palladian villa for Sir John Boyd, a wealthy merchant. It contains five windows on each side, with a piano nobile over a half-story rusticated stone basement. The most impressive space is the elliptical staircase hall: a funnel-shaped top-lit well with eight Ionic columns below the dome and a fine wrought-iron balustrade. The saloon contains exceptional inset paintings of gods and goddesses between panels of a foliage design. The paintings are dated 1766 and are believed to have been executed by Charles Pavillon, an obscure French painter. In 1997 Danson House was leased to English Heritage for 999 years; it is currently open to the public on special viewing days only. In 2002 the house underwent extensive restoration by English Heritage; in 2005 it was officially opened by the Queen.

  • Garden & Outbuildings: The park became a public open space in the early 20th century, when the Bean family sold the estate to the Urban District Council of Bexley. The open space today occupies more than 180 acres. Ashlar Stables, to the northwest of the house, is today a pub. The garden temple, originally designed for Danson Park by Sir William Chambers, was moved to St. Paul's Walden Bury, Hertfordshire, in 1961.

  • Architect: Lancelot Brown

    Date: Circa 1761
    Designed: Park, possibly in conjunction with a Mr. Richmond.

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    Architect: Robert Taylor

    Date: 1762-67
    Designed: House for John Boyd

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    Architect: William Oldham Chambers

    Date: Circa 1770
    Designed: Decoration of 3 main rooms, Palladian Bridge (demolished), and Doric Temple (moved to St. Paul's Walden Bury in 1961).

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  • John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. II, p. 187, 1853.

  • Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
    Author: Colvin, Howard
    Year Published: 2008
    Reference: pgs. 243, 1025
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 9780300125085
    Book Type: Hardback

    Title: Buildings of England: West Kent and the Weald, The 2000
    Author: Newman, John
    Year Published: 2000
    Reference: pgs. 160-161
    Publisher: London: Penguin Books
    ISBN: 0140710388
    Book Type: Hardback

    Title: Gardens - St. Paul's Walden Bury, The
    Author: NA
    Year Published: 1998
    Publisher: NA
    ISBN: NA
    Book Type: Light Softback

  • House Listed: Grade I

    Park Listed: Grade II

  • "Taboo" (2017 - TV series). "The Favourite" (2018 - as mud bath/spa room and servants' quarters).
  • Past Seat / Home of: Sir John Boyd, 18th century. Bean family, until early 20th century.

    Current Ownership Type: Government

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Mixed Use

    Ownership Details: Owned by London Borough of Bexley and operated by Kent County Council as the register office for Bexley, the house can also be booked for events.

  • House Open to Public: Grounds Open to the Public - House Only Open for Events / Exclusive Use

    Phone: 03000-411-103

    Fax: 02083-046-641

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: https://www.bexley.gov.uk/discover-bexley/visitor-attractions/danson-house-and-park/house

    Historic Houses Member: No