Hammerwood Park

History

Latrobe built Hammerwood between 1792 and 1795 as his first independent commission before emigrating to the United States, where he became known as the father of American architecture. The house was requisitioned during the Second World War and left to decay afterwards, standing empty and vandalised through much of the 1970s despite Led Zeppelin's 1973 purchase and plan to convert it into a recording studio. Since taking it on in 1982, the Pinnegar family has carried out the restoration and opened the house to visitors.

Architecture

The house is regarded as one of the first Greek Revival buildings in England, its Doric order drawn from the temples at Paestum. Latrobe later reused the same distinctive order for the Supreme Court Chamber in the US Capitol.

Worth knowing

Led Zeppelin bought Hammerwood in 1973 intending to turn it into a recording studio. Its architect, Benjamin Henry Latrobe, went on to design the White House's north and south porticoes and the United States Capitol.

Gardens & grounds

The parkland was laid out in the 1790s, probably under the influence of Humphry Repton, and centres on a lake with views across the valley; it carries its own Grade II listing on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.