Swakeleys House, Jacobean mansion in Ickenham, England
Swakeleys House is a red brick mansion built in 1638 with an H-shaped floor plan and stone-framed windows that remain intact. Dutch gables and multiple chimneys mark its exterior, giving the structure its distinctive profile from this period.
Sir Edmund Wright, who became Lord Mayor of London in 1640, built this house after taking over the estate from John Bingley. The building has undergone changes over the following centuries while maintaining its original architectural character.
The Great Chamber displays ornate ceiling panels and a wooden screen with a bust of Charles I, showing how wealthy families of the seventeenth century furnished their finest rooms. The craftsmanship visible here reflects the skills and taste that defined elite households during this period.
The house can be visited during the annual Open House London event, which provides access to the interior and gardens. Bring an umbrella during rainy weather since some parts of the experience involve walking outdoors.
Diarist Samuel Pepys visited in 1665 and documented architectural details and a curious display he observed during his stay. His visit to this place made it into one of history's most famous personal records.
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