Digswell House

Digswell House is a neoclassical mansion with a grand portico supported by four Ionic columns on its south front. The building has been converted into private residential units while maintaining its Grade II listed status as a protected structure.

Samuel Wyatt designed the residence in 1805 for Edward Spencer Cowper, replacing an earlier medieval manor that occupied the site. The structure later underwent transformation during the 20th century, serving roles ranging from military hospital to conference venue.

The building once served soldiers from multiple nations during wartime, housing an auxiliary hospital that treated patients from Australia, Belgium, and Britain. This role connected the place to international medical efforts of that era.

The property is now privately owned and divided into residential units, so it is not open to the public for internal viewing. You can observe the exterior architecture and the neoclassical facade from the street or surrounding grounds.

Between 1928 and 1939, the house functioned as a conference center that hosted notable figures including Mahatma Gandhi and George Bernard Shaw. This period made it a gathering place of international significance during the interwar years.

Location: Welwyn Hatfield

Architects: Samuel Wyatt

GPS coordinates: 51.81876,-0.20611

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:00