The Hoo, Willingdon and Jevington

The Hoo
The Hoo, street frontage
LocationWillingdon and Jevington, East Sussex
Coordinates50°47′57″N 0°15′12″E / 50.79917°N 0.25333°E / 50.79917; 0.25333
OS grid referenceTQ588024
Built1902
ArchitectEdwin Lutyens
Architectural style(s)Neoclassical
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameThe Hoo
Designated10 December 1973
Reference no.1184911
Official nameThe Hoo
Designated25 March 1987
Reference no.1000236
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameGarden Walls and 2 Gazebos on South Side of Nos 1 to 11
Designated12 August 1981
Reference no.1353435
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameThe Barn
Designated12 August 1981
Reference no.1184960
The Hoo, Willingdon and Jevington is located in East Sussex
The Hoo, Willingdon and Jevington
Location of The Hoo in East Sussex

The Hoo is a Neoclassical country house in Willingdon, in the Wealden district of East Sussex, England. It was designed by Edwin Lutyens in 1902 for Alexander Wedderburn, a wealthy lawyer. Considered one of Lutyens' best houses, it is a Grade I listed building. The gardens, which had input from Gertrude Jekyll, are designated at Grade II* on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England.

History and description

Alexander Wedderburn commissioned Edwin Lutyens to undertake a re-modelling of his existing house at Willingdon on the South Downs in 1901. The result was among Lutyens' favourite works, and is considered among his best country houses.[1] After post-war service as a girls' school, the house was converted to apartments in 1955.[2] The building remains privately owned and was the subject of a sympathetic restoration in 2022.[3]

The core of the current house remains Wedderburn's original cottage. To this, Lutyens added a gable roof with dormer windows, while to each side he constructed large wings. There are examples of the neo-Georgian styling which was to become one of Lutyens' major architectural themes.[4]

The original planting scheme for the gardens, which were designed in a formal style, was undertaken by Gertrude Jekyll. Some modifications have been made since, and some of the outlying parts have succumbed to residential development.[5]

The Hoo is a Grade I listed building[1] and its gardens are listed at Grade II* on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Historic England. "The Hoo (Grade I) (1184911)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Lutyens houses on the market". Lutyens Trust. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  3. ^ "2023 Awards: Large scale residential". Sussex Heritage Trust. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  4. ^ Page, Richard (Winter 2017). "The Hoo, Willingdon, East Sussex" (PDF). Lutyens Trust. p. 13. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  5. ^ "The Hoo, Willingdon - Eastbourne". Parks & Gardens UK. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  6. ^ Historic England. "The Hoo gardens (Grade II*) (1000236)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 December 2023.

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