Southside House
Southside House is a 17th century house located on the south side of Wimbledon Common. (grid reference TQ2370)
The house was built for Robert Pennington, who had shared Charles II's exile in Holland. In 1687 after losing his son to the Bubonic Plague, Pennington left London for Holme Farm, Wimbledon, which at that time was a separate village several miles from the capital. Pennington commissioned Dutch architects to build the house, incorporating an existing farmhouse into the design. Two niches either side of the front door contain statues of Plenty and Spring, they are said to bear the likenesses of Pennington's wife and daughter.
Inside, the house contains many examples of 17th century furniture, and memorabilia connected to the Pennington family. The house's musik room was prepared for the entertainment of Frederick, Prince of Wales, who visited in 1750. Later visitors to the house were Sir William Hamilton and Lady Emma Hamilton together with Lord Nelson. Lord Byron talked in the gardens with his publisher, John Murray (second of that name), while generations later, Axel Munthe talked in the same gardens with his publisher, John Murray (fourth or fifth of that name).
The house passed through the Pennington-Mellor family, eventually coming into the possession of Malcolm Munthe, the son of Hilda Pennington-Mellor and Axel Munthe. During WWII Southside House was damaged, and Malcolm Munthe spent much of his later life restoring the house, and another family property, Hellens Manor to historic showpiece condition.
Southside House is still run by Robert Pennington's descendants today, serving partly as a residence but also as a museum, administered by the Pennington-Mellor-Munthe Charity Trust, and hosting tour groups as well as cultural events such as lectures, concerts, and literary discussions.
References
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