Putney Park House

DESCRIPTION

This property was built in the 1880s by Francis Augustus and Emma Wright. Originally called Lunnhilda, it was located on the western side of Pellisier Road close to where it meets McGowan Street. It had a tiled hall, sitting room, library, dining and drawing rooms, breakfast room, six bedrooms, two servants’ rooms, small room in the tower, bathroom, kitchen, storeroom, pantry, storeroom, servants’ hall, two cellars, laundry, small wooden boot room, conservatory on the verandah, cowshed, brick stables, boat and bathing houses.

Subsequent owners include the Scrymgeour family (who re-named it Dudhope after an ancestral home in Scotland) and the Connolly family. In 1926 Ryde Council purchased the Estate and it became the Putney Park Pleasure Grounds, the house being the refreshment rooms. Even though it proved popular with between 3000 and 5000 picknickers able to be accommodated at any one time vandalism was a persistent problem so much so that locals formed a vigilance committee.

In 1942 Council made the decision to demolish the ‘old buildings’ in the park. Foundations of the house and the circular driveway are visible. The area is still used as a park, Putney Park.

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