Pythouse, Wiltshire, with which Philipps House shares a very similar facade. From a 1910 postcard.
Earlier Houses: Dinton House was an H-shaped 17th century brick building that was demolished by William Wyndham when he started construction of the current Wyattville-designed house. The first house had a lime avenue, a coach house, a brewhouse, a dovecote, and a stableblock for 12 horses, all which were demolished.
Built / Designed For: William Wyndham
House & Family History: After the bank foreclosed on Dinton in 1917, Bertram Philipps (1870-1947) purchased the estate and promptly named the house after himself. In 1936 he leased Philipps House to the YWCA and moved to nearby Hyde's House, a former rectory, where he lived until his death. In 1943 Mr. Philipps donated the big house and 203 acres of parkland to the National Trust. In addition to Philipps House, he also donated a collection of furniture and paintings that had belonged to the Wyndham and Philipps families. The YWCA gave up the lease of the house in 1995, after which the trust began a major restoration project. Lined with columns of yellow scagliola, the soaring, domed staircase hall is one of the glories of Philipps House. The ladies' sitting room was converted by Mr. Philipps into his library; here he installed an 18th century wood chimneypiece from Marshwood House (a house on the Dinton Estate). Philipps House shares a strikingly similar entrance facade with nearby Pythouse (see "Images" section). In 2023 the National Trust offered a 125-year lease for Philipps House and four acres of surrounding land for £2 million.
Garden & Outbuildings: During World War II the park in front of Philipps House was requisitioned for use by the United States Army Air Force, who erected a number of Nissen huts in the park.
Architect: Jeffry Wyatville (Wyattville) (Wyatt)
Date: 1814-17Country Life: XCIV, 1080, 1943.
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 2008
Reference: pg. 1200
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300125085
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Grade II*
Park Listed: Grade II
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: George South, 17th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: William Wyndham, 19th century; Wyndham family here from 1689 until 1917. Bertram Erasmus Philipps, 1917-36.
Current Ownership Type: The National Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
Ownership Details: The house is leased to tenants.
House Open to Public: Grounds Only
Phone: 01672-538-014
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Historic Houses Member: No