Is Strawberry Hill House just a fancy name, you wonder? Here at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, the name takes on a literal meaning. The university sprawls across the former estate of Strawberry Hill House, a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture. Founded in 1850 as a humble teacher training college, St Mary’s University has blossomed into a full-fledged university. Its journey is intertwined with the historical echoes of Strawberry Hill House. Imagine the halls buzzing not with students, but with the whispers of Horace Walpole’s 18th-century imagination. He envisioned this place as a Gothic fantasy, a far cry from the classical norms of his time. His vision became a reality, and the ripples of “Strawberry Hill Gothic,” as it came to be known, spread beyond these walls. Today, St Mary’s University honors this legacy. It provides a modern educational experience while nestled amidst the grandeur of Walpole’s architectural dream.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service