Woodlands House, Grade II* listed building in Royal Borough of Greenwich, England
Woodlands House is a Georgian villa with a symmetrical facade, large sash windows, and classical architectural features typical of late 18th-century design. The three-story structure displays elegant proportions and period details that remain visible throughout its exterior and interior spaces.
John Julius Angerstein, a wealthy insurance underwriter with fortune from East Indian trade, commissioned architect George Gibson to build the house between 1774 and 1776. The property changed hands and purposes several times over the following centuries before becoming a public art gallery.
The building housed refugees during World War I and later served as a convent before opening to the public. These different roles shaped its character and show how a private home transformed into a place serving the community.
Access is limited to specific opening hours and may vary depending on current exhibitions. Plan enough time to explore the rooms and view the art collection displayed throughout the building.
Art historian Daniel Lysons recorded the house's collection in 1796, noting extensive holdings of paintings and decorative objects from that period. This early documentation reveals that fine artworks filled the rooms from the building's earliest days as a residence.
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