Standen

Standen House is considered the premier showpiece of the Arts and Crafts movement. Built between 1892 and 1894 for James Beale, a successful London solicitor, his wife Margaret and their seven children, the house is one of the last and least altered works of the architect Philip Webb, one of the principal designers for William Morris's furnishing company. As a result, Morris & Co. wallpapers and textiles abound throughout the house, making it one of the best places to view the extensive range of Morris's design work, a selling point for the Pre-Raphaelite fan in the family.

The house includes, besides original "Trellis" wallpaper in the corridor outside the conservatory, the first design Morris produced commercially, William de Morgan tiles and pottery, individually designed fireplaces (no two are alike), impressive pierced brass fingerplates on the doors, and beautiful standard and table lights supplied by a protégé of Morris's, W. A. S. Benson, many with opalescent glass shades.

Rain prevented us from exploring the gardens but we did manage a picnic in a field overlooking Medway Valley and Weirwood Reservoir.

Date of Our Last Visit: July 2003