SPAB Sussex visit to Hammerwood Park

2 December 2021 starting at 14.00

Located 3½ miles east of East Grinstead, Hammerwood Park was built in 1792 by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, architect of the White House and US Capitol Building in Washington D.C., and is one of the first examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United Kingdom.

The house was converted into flats in the 1960s and purchased by Led Zeppelin in 1973 with the hope of turning it into a music centre, recording studio and flats. Significant vandalism saw three tons of lead removed from the roof, compromising it in fourteen different places and allowing thousands of gallons of water to leak into the structure. The progression of the dry and wet rot accelerated, leading the house to become increasingly structurally unsafe. It was subsequently boarded up in 1976, and put on sale in 1978.[ Having been for sale for four years,  in June 1982. David Pinnegar, 21 years of age, purchased the property – by this time in a very poor condition – with the intention of restoring and opening it to visitors. Although there was some bemusement at his age, the house opened to the public in April 1983 and the restoration (much of which was undertaken by volunteers) has won several awards. Hammerwood remains one of Britain's best-kept secrets; an architectural gem, and a family home.

Join the SPAB Sussex Group for a visit to this intriguing building.

Accessibility:
Please contact the SPAB before booking to discuss any special access requirements.

Booking Terms & Conditions