The Hermitage

The Hermitage is a small stone cottage in Hanwell with arched windows and decorative gothic details on its front face. The roof is thatched and the windows display characteristic patterns with pointed arch shapes that give the building a fairy-tale appearance.

The house was built in 1809 and displays the romantic cottage orné style that became popular in the early 1800s. This building approach came from a desire among wealthy people to design their country homes with false rural features.

The exterior with its stucco walls and gothic details shows a playful approach to country living for the well-to-do. This blend of cottage-like charm mixed with romantic forms reveals how affluent households in the 1800s expressed their taste for imaginative architecture.

The house is Grade II* listed and therefore under heritage protection with stricter rules than other historic buildings. Visitors should note that access may be limited and viewing from outside is likely, as it remains a private residence.

The building combines French windows with ogee arches, a rare blend of French and gothic design in English country architecture. This unusual combination shows the experimental spirit of the early 1800s cottage orné movement.