The conservatory designed in 1823 by Charles Robert Cockerell for the owner Alexander Baring.
Baring acquired Henry Drummond's unfinished house in 1817, and he and his family brought The Grange to its zenith as a stately home and estate over the course of the 19th century. Baring collected magnificent pictures and furniture, with which to fill the house. He was also a gardening enthusiast and had this conservatory built in 1823.
The conservatory demonstrated an advanced use of iron and glass. The rainwater was channelled down the columns into the raised beds to water the large range of plants inside. The classical design of the exterior provided a framework for a series of immense windows.
In 1890, the conversion of the conservatory into a ballroom obliterated many of these innovative features. In 2003 Grange Park Opera built a theatre inside the building.
Disclaimer
The text and pictures on this page are derived from the 'Heritage Unlocked' series of guidebooks published in 2004. We intend to review, update and enhance the content in the near future as part of the Portico project, whose objective is to provide information on the history, significance, research background and sources for all English Heritage properties.
