Avon Tyrrell House, Manor house in Sopley, England
Avon Tyrrell House is a manor house in Sopley built in 1891 that showcases Arts and Crafts design with asymmetrical facades made from local materials throughout its four wings. The building's layout features numerous rooms and interconnected spaces designed as a complex residential composition.
The house was built following Lord Manners' substantial Grand National winnings around 1881, which provided the funds for this ambitious construction project. Later it served as a military intelligence facility during World War II before being converted to its current purpose.
The house embodies a calendar pattern through its 365 windows, 52 rooms, 12 chimneys, 7 external doors, and 4 wings representing days, weeks, months, and seasons. This thoughtful design reflects the Victorian love of symbolic details woven into everyday architecture.
The property today serves as the headquarters of UK Youth and hosts outdoor learning programs and personal development activities for young people. The site's location near woodland and open land provides good conditions for outdoor activities.
A distinctive feature is its use as a center for intelligence work during the war, adding a hidden chapter to its architectural story. This wartime role remains less known to visitors than its original purpose as a private residence.
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