The major programme of restoration has not only recreated the original appearance of Walpole’s “little gothic castle” with a new render, reinstated the cloister and wooden pinnacles, adding to the drama of the skyline, but has transformed the interiors with  painstaking research. Walpole’s remarkable collection of Renaissance stained glass has been restored and reset, newly woven textiles recreate the richness of the gallery in contrast to the more somber tones of the other interiors and the many surprising finds have added to the documentary history of the house.

12.30 pm     
Lunch at Strawberry Hill

2.00 pm
A Walk around Historic Twickenham
 
“The village of Twickenham is agreeably seated on the margin of the Thames” and, just a morning’s journey from London, became an ideal rural setting for the fashionable to build houses and villas. The walk will include Alexander Pope’s grotto, James Gibbs’ delightful Octagon and the historic parish church of St Mary the Virgin, rebuilt in 1714-15 to the designs of John James.