Revealing Pitzhanger
In March 2015, Pitzhanger closed to the public to undertake a major project, aiming to return Sir John Soane’s Manor to its original design.
The project, led by Ealing Council in collaboration with Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery Trust, peeled back layers of history, extensions and overpainting, returning Pitzhanger to Soane’s original design, now visible for the first time in over 175 years. The Regency Manor, built between 1800 and 1804, is a rare and spectacular example of a building designed, built and lived in by Sir John Soane himself. With its stripped classical detail, canopy domed ceilings, radical decorative paint schemes and inventive use of space and light, Pitzhanger features many architectural elements that Soane adapted for his later buildings including Dulwich Picture Gallery and his city home in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Important structural elements of Soane’s design were reinstated, such as the conservatory demolished in 1901 and the dramatic central roof light which returns Pitzhanger to the silhouette Soane intended.
The recreation of a colonnade connecting the Gallery and Manor provides full accessibility for all visitors. Soane’s original intricate paint schemes, which were overpainted in the 1830s, have also been meticulously recreated throughout the Manor following detailed historic paint analysis by interior decoration specialists Hare & Humphreys. The dramatic marbling in the entrance hall and the hand-painted Chinese wallpaper in the Upper Drawing Room have revitalised Pitzhanger’s interiors.
The conservation and restoration project was led by architects Jestico + Whiles with the support of heritage experts Julian Harrap Architects. They were supported by a large team of specialist contractors, led by Quinn London Ltd. Craftspeople from across the UK lent their skills to reinstating Soane’s intricate and idiosyncratic designs, from stone carving to Chinese wallpaper, landscaping to glass.
The conservation project was supported by Ealing Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England and many other generous trusts, foundations, individuals and corporate sponsors. Find out more about Pitzhanger’s supporters and how to contribute here.
To find out more about the conservation project, visit our YouTube channel
See the restored Manor with Griff Rhys Jones
See The Career of a Decorative Painter with Alasdair Peebles
See Remaking Historic Interiors with Hare and Humphreys
👀🏰🌳 If you`re fascinated by historical buildings, visiting Pitzhanger Manor is an absolute must! This stunning estate perfectly showcases the brilliant mind of Sir John Soane, who believed that architecture should be a theatrical experience. 🎭🎨 Take a tour of the house and gardens to experience Soane`s life story and admire his design skills, displayed through unique paint schemes and dramatic lighting effects. 🤩💡 Visit our website to learn more about our recent conservation project at this incredible site! 🌟
Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery
📅 Open Wednesday to Sunday
📍 Ealing Green, London W5 5EQ
🚇 Ealing Broadway Station (Elizabeth, Central, District, National Rail)
🎫 FREE every Thursday 5pm–8pm
#Pitzhanger #Ealing #London #Art #Design #Architecture #PitzhangerManor #HistoricalBuildings #Conservation #SirJohnSoane #TheatricalExperience #HouseAndGarden #Design #PaintSchemes #LightingEffects #Tour #Narrative #Heritage #Preservation #VisitLondon #TravelUK #Culture #History #Explore #Discover #Experience #Wanderlust

Sir John Soane`s favourite motif was a distinctive domed canopy lid, which he repeatedly used in different materials and at different scales. The Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery gateway, which dates back to Soane`s time, was built using red brick and flint to create a rustic or `primitive` effect. The twinned pilasters of the gateway are capped with this distinctive lid.
Interestingly, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott also borrowed this design feature when he designed the iconic red telephone box in the 1920s. If you visit Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, you can spot how many domed canopies were used in different parts of the house. Don`t miss this chance to explore and discover more about Soane`s iconic design touches!
Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery
📅 Open Wednesday to Sunday
📍 Ealing Green, W5 5EQ
🚇 Ealing Broadway Station (Elizabeth, Central, District, National Rail)
#Pitzhanger #Ealing #London #Art #Design #Architecture #JohnSoane #PitzhangerManor #Soane #architecture #design #history #heritage #innovation #redtelephonebox #domedcanopy #rarefeatures #mustvisit

Swipe to see the before ➡️
Our statues have returned to the Eating Room at Pitzhanger, freshly restored by @clivedenconservation
In Sir John Soane`s day these statues were painted to resemble bronze but were later painted over in white to resemble marble. They have now been brought back to their original colour.
What do you think? 🤔
#makeover #bronzestatue #conservation #argandlamp #georgianhouse #historichouse #beforeandafter

Some wallpapers are, themselves, works of art 🎨
The next talk in the Pitzhanger Design Series is on the topic of wallpaper – its techniques, history and how and why we should use it.
Join interior designer and antiques dealer Adam Bray as he talks with three wallpaper creators about their beautiful papers.
The panel includes Hannah Cecil Gurney of @degournay, creators of the finest hand-painted and hand-embroidered wallcoverings; Lulu Lytle, co-founder and director of @soanebritain, which designs and creates wallpapers by craftsmen in Britain; and @allysonmcdermott_studios, arguably the world’s leading authority on conserving, recreating and hanging historic wallpapers.
Pitzhanger Design Series: The Art of Wallpaper
6 October, 6.30pm
In person and online tickets available.
Link in bio to book
Part of #LondonCraftWeek 2021
#LCW2021 #Wallpaper #HistoricWallpaper #BritishDesign #handpainted #interiordesign #PitzhangerDesignSeries #conservation

The first layer of paint is on! Follow for part 3 to see these statues re-bronzed by the amazing @clivedenconservation.
Don’t they work quickly? 😜
#historicconservation #museumreels #sculpture #restoration #historichouse #englishcountryhouse #bronze #bronzesculpture #bronzeme

OPEN HOUSE FESTIVAL is back for 2021!
Visit Pitzhanger Manor for FREE over the first two weekends in September as part of the 30th Open House London!
Sir John Soane’s Birthday Festival will take place over 11 + 12 September – a new community weekend for all the family with special events and activities including demonstrations, crafts, dress-up and tours.
There will be free exterior building tours over both weekends – join us to find out how Soane designed Pitzhanger to reflect his influences and discover the process involved in its restoration.
Booking advised for guaranteed entry, but some walk-up tickets may be available.
Visit pitzhanger.org.uk to find out more and book your tickets!
@opencitylondon #openhouselondon #opencity #architecture #community #education #birthday #Soane #JohnSoane #Pitzhanger #festival #SoaneRestored #GuidedTour #Heritage #LondonHistory #History #LondonArchitecture

Conservation in action Pt. 1 ⚒️
Our four Eating Room statues are being restored this summer by the team at @clivedenconservation on site at Pitzhanger Manor.
In John Soane’s day these statues were painted to resemble bronze and carried oil lamps.
Follow to watch their colourful transformation @Pitzhanger
#SoaneRestoredHighlights #soanerestored #georgianhouse #coadestonesculptures #coadestone #sculpture #conservation #colourtransformation #historichouse

Visit Pitzhanger this summer to discover a vibrant solo exhibition by leading contemporary artist Julian Opie.
Walk through the landscape of new sculptures, LED animations, light box paintings and film of people, buildings and animals in Pitzhanger Gallery. Don’t miss the animated walking figure and crows artworks installed outside.
A ticket also provides entry to Pitzhanger Manor, the extraordinary country home designed in 1800 by Sir John Soane, the influential British architect.
“If you haven’t visited Pitzhanger I really recommend it, a unique place, a gem to be treasured whether a familiar or first time visitor.”
@tinctureofmuseum
Pitzhanger is open Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm (late opening until 7pm on Thursday)
Ealing residents visit FREE all day Wednesdays + Sundays from 10am-12.30pm
Find out more and book now at pitzhanger.org.uk
#JulianOpie #Opie #Pitzhanger #Soane #JohnSoane #SirJohnSoane #WalpolePark #Ealing #Exhibition #Artwork #London #contemporaryart #Londonart #Architecture #Heritage #Culture #WestLondon

The sun is here this weekend ☀️ what are your plans?
Enjoy a day out at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery! The good weather provides the perfect opportunity to see the outdoor sculptures in the front of the Manor, and in Walpole Park at the rear – part of our #JulianOpie exhibition.
Wander through John Soane`s country home and witness his mastery of glass and light in his interiors and find out more about its recent conservation in the #SoaneRestored exhibition upstairs.
Then grab delicious coffee, cake and toasties from @pitzhangerpantry in Walpole Park or relax in the beautiful original walled garden for a meal at @soanes_kitchen.
Book at pitzhanger.org.uk or walk up.
Free to Ealing borough residents on Sunday morning.
#weekendplans #thesunhasgothishaton #julianopie #restoration #soanerestored #julydaysoutinlondon #timeout #summer2021 #londondaysout #artexhibition #walpolepark #ealingfree

🚨Conservation in action 🚨
We are thrilled that restoration on the four statues in the Georgian Eating Room begins next week AND instead of shipping them off for their makeover, we have the wonderful team from @clivedenconservation coming to Pitzhanger to restore the statues in the Manor itself.
The statues in the Eating Room date back to Sir John Soane`s time. In his day, the statues were painted to resemble bronze and carried oil lamps. These were probably Argand lamps, a fairly new invention of the time. The lamps used purified sperm-whale oil, and burned more brightly and cleanly than candles or other oil lamps. Swipe to see what the room looked like in 1833.
Over the next few weeks all four of our lovey ladies will be restored to their intended colour and the fourth statue (which has been too damaged to be on display) will be mended and reunited with her sisters.
There will be the opportunity to come and view this work in progress at Pitzhanger and hear from the expert team at Cliveden. Keep an eye out on our website for dates and times.
#SoaneRestored #restoration #historichouses #bronze #muses #georgianinteriors
📸 @studiostagg
🖼 @soanemuseum

Learn about the skills and techniques of the master craftsmen who peeled back the layers of Pitzhanger’s history to reinstate interior and architectural elements lost for over a century in our #SoaneRestored exhibition.
Open now until 5 June 2022.
Wednesday – Sunday 10.00 – 17.00
with late opening on Thursday until 19.00
Share your thoughts on the exhibition by tagging us @Pitzhanger #SoaneRestored
@jesticowhiles @hare_and_humphreys @historicengland #restorationproject #conservation #johnsoane

TONIGHT join us for a FREE online talk about the amazing crafts involved in Pitzhanger’s recent restoration.
Ever wondered what’s involved in caring for a historic building like Pitzhanger Manor? Our director Clare Gough will tell all in this illustrated talk, part of the London Festival of Architecture.
Book your free ticket now. Link in bio.
#lfa2021 #londonfestivalarchitecture #onlinetalk #restoration #historichouse #historicbuildings #interioirdesign #architecture #stonework
