Lost properties of Barnes
Whilst Barnes is obviously an area full of history, there are many beautiful buildings that have been lost
Perhaps the best known of the ‘lost properties’ of Barnes is Barn Elms, the former Manor House, whose grounds extended over half the parish in its heyday. Rebuilt several times, the house was home to a variety of inhabitants, not least Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth I’s spymaster; the Hoares, a renowned banking family; Sir Lancelot Shadwell, Vice Chancellor of England; and, latterly, the famous Ranelagh Club. The house was destroyed by fire in 1958 having fallen into disrepair, but the grounds escaped the developers’ clutches and were converted into the current day Barn Elms sports facilities.
Nearby stood Elm Grove House, a spacious 18th century residence set in 12 acres extending the length of Rocks Lane, named for Thomas Rock who lived here in 1791-1818. Owned by the Hoare family, sale particulars in 1845 depicted a five-bedroom property well-suited for formal entertainment. It was sold for redevelopment in 1895 for £14,400 (£1.64m today).
Across the road, opposite the Red Lion pub stood Merton Lodge. Somewhat less imposing than Elm Grove, this 18th century residence abutted Byfield House on Church Road, named for Edward Byfield, a retired governor of St Helena who moved to Barnes in 1740. Both residences were demolished at the turn of the 20th century to make way for Lowther Mansions and Byfield Hall, forerunner of the Olympic Cinema.
Further along Church Road, opposite the church, stood Priory Lodge. Built in c. 1840, Edward Terry, an acclaimed actor and theatre owner, took up residence here in 1890, swiftly ingratiating himself into local life. The house was demolished in WW1 and its grounds subsequently laid out to Bracken Gardens.
Barnes was replete with private schools in the 19th century. Hillersdon House, located next door to Priory Lodge, hosted a lady’s college from 1824. Cleveland House Academy, situated across Barnes Green backing on to Barnes Pond, served a similar purpose for young gentlemen from 1800-60. Likewise, Nassau House, founded in 1859 and located between Grange and Nassau roads. Today, all that remains of these seats of learning are streets of the same name.
Two lost properties that dominated the Barnes riverfront were St Ann’s and Elm Bank. Built in c. 1765, St Ann’s occupied a commanding position on the site subsequently laid out to St Ann’s and Lyric Roads, while Elm Bank predated the mansion flats of the same name. Demolished in 1900 and 1904 respectively, Elm Bank’s surviving claim to fame is The Tower, a folly situated in its grounds, and some decorative urns.
Paul Rawkins