A magnificent house stands before you. This is Tadworth Court. Its history whispers tales of grandeur and transformation.
Tadworth Court a Grade I listed building has a captivating past. Originally a manor house it dates back to around 1700. Leonard Wessel a merchant built it. He was Sheriff of Surrey and a Member of Parliament. The house was designed in a Palladian style. It boasts impressive features like rustic quoins stone dressings and rococo plasterwork. Nikolaus Pevsner a renowned architectural historian described it as splendid and one of the most elegant houses in the country. Remarkably it remained relatively unknown until the 20th century. Few pictures existed before then.
For nearly two centuries Tadworth Court changed hands. Sir Thomas Scawen John Fleetwood and William Mabbott were among its notable owners. Later it belonged to Captain Robert Hudson. The house remained in his family for over 100 years. Then Charles Russell Lord Russell of Killowen Attorney General and Lord Chief Justice owned it. His wife lived there until 1906. After that Charles Morton became the final private owner.
In 1926 Great Ormond Street Hospital purchased Tadworth Court. It served as the hospital’s country branch until 1983. It provided convalescent care. The hospital added brick wards for children who were not mobile. It featured sliding doors for fresh air exposure. The open-air movement was popular then. It was believed fresh air and sunshine were beneficial to children’s health. The hospital had donkeys for children to ride.
During World War II Tadworth Court was busy. It housed evacuated patients and staff from the London hospital. In 1983 the hospital faced closure. However a campaign saved it. The Department of Health transferred management to The Children’s Trust a newly formed charity in 1984. Today Tadworth Court continues to serve children. It provides care education therapy and rehabilitation for children with multiple disabilities and acquired brain injuries. This stunning house has a rich history of healing and care. It continues to make a difference in children’s lives.