Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a grand Palladian villa? Well, step right up to Parkstead House, a Grade I listed building that boasts a fascinating history. It used to be called Manresa House and Bessborough House too, but nowadays it’s known as Parkstead House. This beautiful villa was built in the 1760s for the 2nd Earl of Bessborough by none other than Sir William Chambers, who also designed Somerset House in London. Imagine living in such a stunning property but it’s even more interesting than that. There’s a connection to Gerard Manley Hopkins, who was a novice at Manresa House from 1868 to 1870. You could almost hear the ticking of the clock that was introduced by the Jesuits in the 19th century but sadly, the Jesuits left in 1962 after a housing estate was built alongside their property. After that, the college changed homes and was eventually taken over by Whitelands College in 2001. It’s now part of the University of Roehampton, where you can still see the original design by Sir William Chambers, and even some of the William Morris stained glass that was moved there in 2006. So, you could say that Parkstead House has been a testament to history and time, and its beauty still shines through today.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service