69. The Grange
One of Augustus Pugin's houses
Ramsgate, Kent
One of 6 individual houses designed by Pugin in the UK (5 built), The Grange planned out a new way of living for the Victorian family – clearly expressing room functions individually through the layout of the house. This house has a pinwheel plan, anchored by a generous hallway – rooms for living, eating, reading then splay off the central hall. The restoration has been completed beautifully with renewed wallpapers based on original samples found on site.
Guest Text
‘I visited Pugin’s The Grange back in February 2020. It seems a world away now. The invitation came from the SaLADS, who I had shown around A House for Essex the year before. I jumped at the chance, not just because I wanted to visit The Grange but also because the SaLADS are nice people and I suspected it would be a good lunch. From the outside, the Grange is a sober but interesting example of neo-Gothic domestic architecture. But inside it is a vivid riot of pattern, ornament and polemical slogans. There are secret doors, bookcases on wheels and a tower with an incredible view of the sea. The interior of The Grange was a revelation. Lunch was good too.’ Charles Holland