Inverness Lodge
Some years ago there were at least two threads on this forum which discussed the history of Inverness Lodge (between Brentford Library and Brentford School for Girls). I recently came across this item, from The Middlesex Chronicle dated 12 May 1917, which offers the property for sale by auction. The sale was occasioned by the death of Stephen Woodbridge (83) who had lived at Inverness Lodge for about 40 years. Stephen Woodbridge had for many years been Clerk to Brentford Local Board and then, from 1894, to Brentford Urban District Council. He resigned his post at the age of 82.This gives some idea of what a grand old house it was:"...the charming and commodious Georgian family residence known as Inverness Lodge, Boston Road, Brentford. The residence stands in its own grounds of about 3.25 acres and is approached by a carriage sweep, enclosed by high railings and contains 3 reception rooms, 11 bedrooms, and usual domestic offices, outbuildings comprise stable and coach house with rooms over, laundry, greenhouse, small farmery. The grounds consist of tennis lawn, 3 abundantly stocked kitchen gardens with standard and other fruit trees and large paddock."The sale of household furniture and effects included:"Brussels, Wilton pile, Axminster and other carpets, antique and other chests of drawers, valuable grandfather, old English bracket and other clocks ... mahogany dining room suites covered in Morocco leather ... valuable paintings by Stone, Howard and other well-known artists ... Chippendale and other chairs ... grand piano by Kirkman, church harmonium."I won't repeat the information contained in the earlier TW8 threads or that in the excellent and always reliable BHS Project website, but in summary,- Inverness Lodge appears to have been built in the late 18th century and the exterior was stucco-finished in the late 19th century.- There may be connections with freemasonry. There is a mention that one of the Dukes of Cumberland owned the house and the names "Cumberland" and "Inverness Lodge" are closely associated with freemasonry. In the 19th century there were at least three other building in London which were called Inverness Lodge - in Twickenham, Roehampton, and Bayswater.- Between about 1856 and 1859 Inverness Lodge was home to Robert Gardiner Hill, a surgeon who specialised in the treatment of lunacy. He jointly ran two asylums at Wyke House and at Earls Court House. It seems that he welcomed "ladies suffering the milder forms of insanity" to be received into his family at Inverness Lodge. Gardiner Hill was an early champion of the use of "non-restraint" methods for the treatment of mental illness.- The house became nationally infamous in 1858 when Rosina Bulwer Lytton was sent there (a very interesting story which can be found in the usually unreliable Wikipedia).- In the 1920s Inverness Lodge harboured the local women's branch of the National Unionist Association before it became the local haunt of the British Legion who stayed there until at least the latter half of the 1960s. I'm not sure when the Inverness Social Club was established.- In 2016 a planning application was approved for the conversion of the first and second floors to five flats.I would be most grateful if anyone could add any more information about Inverness Lodge including the current price of their best ale.
Jim Storrar ● 2838d0 Comments