A 1777 engraving of the house from "Angus's Views of Seats." By kind permission of a private collection.
"West Coombe in 1794" from a wood-engraved print that appeared in "Old and New London," circa 1880.
Built / Designed For: Sir Gregory Page
House & Family History: In the mid-18th century, after the death of her husband, the 3rd Duke of Bolton, Westcombe became the seat of Lavinia Powlett, Dowager Duchess of Bolton, more famously known as the actress Lavinia Fenton, whose most famous role was as Polly Peachum in John Gay's "The Beggar's Opera." Nearby Peachum Road is a testament to her enduring fame.
Garden & Outbuildings: In the 18th century the house was surrounded by 50 acres of pleasure grounds.
House Listed: Demolished
Park Listed: Destroyed
Past Seat / Home of: Sir Gregory Page, 1723. Captain Galfridus Walpole (tenant), 1723-26. Charles Powlett (Paulet), 3rd Duke of Bolton (tenant), until 1754; Lavinia Powlett, Dowager Duchess of Bolton (tenant), 1754-60. Major-General Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive, 1770s. Charlotte Murray, Dowager Duchess of Atholl, until 1805. William Petrie, until 1816. William Kerr, 6th Marquess of Lothian, until 1824; Harriet Kerr, Dowager Marchioness of Lothian, 1824-27. Thomas Brockelbank, 1827-43. Alexander Baring, 1st Baron Ashburton, until 1848.
Current Ownership Type: Demolished
Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished
House Open to Public: No
Historic Houses Member: No