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Everyone
who visited Finchden loved the place. A long winding wander of
interconnected buildings built and adapted over five centuries.
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The oldest part was dated around 1530, an early Elizabethan half
frame timber building with splendid proportions. It was later
connected to another old timber house, with additional extensions
and modifications in brick added in the Jacobean era, a hundred
years later. |
In
the time of Queen Victoria, a fine acoustic hall was built linking
the old 17th version of the house to an out building, creating
the main bulk of the house. This formed the ideal setting for
the life and work of George Lyward and his staff in staging a
vibrant and creative environment for all those who lived there. |
All
this was placed centrally in beautiful surroundings, with terraces,
lawns, courtyards, rosegarden and kitchen garden, among an abundance
of tall holm oaks, sycamores, horse chesnuts, hollies and yews.
The centre piece was a magnificent cedar of Lebanon that graced
the front lawn. |
At
the back of the house was a pond and playing field, and scattered
throughout the site were outbuildings, of different character,
that defined the personality of the place. |
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THE
PLACEf
SUMMARY.
