Grade I listed Parkstead House was designed for the 2nd Earl of Bessborough in the 1760’s by Sir William Chambers – who was also the architect for Somerset House and the Pagoda at Kew Gardens. The Earl commissioned Chambers to design a Palladian style villa to display his antique sculpture collection and entertain his guests away from the hustle and bustle of central London.
Later in the 1860’s the site was acquired by the Society of the Jesuits who renamed the House Manresa. It was during this period that the beautiful chapel was added as well as other Victorian buildings forming a large courtyard.
In recent years the buildings have been used by a variety of educational institutions. Whitelands College purchased the site in 2001 and have worked closely with English Heritage to restore parts of the building to their full glory. The College has added new buildings to house lecture theatres, purpose built teaching spaces and accommodation blocks to include 304 en-suite study bedrooms. There is also a dining room with decking overlooking Richmond Park and a Bar with a balcony on the first floor level.
You can now share the pleasure and enjoyment of Parkstead House with its stunning architecture that juxtaposes old and new to create a unique venue available now for hire.