Seaford House
Encyclopedia
Seaford House, originally called Sefton House, is one of the grandest surviving aristocratic mansions in London
, England
. It is the largest of the three detached houses which occupy three corners of Belgrave Square
in the exclusive district of Belgravia
. Seaford House is a white stucco building with four main stories.
Dated 1842, it was designed by one of the leading architects of the 19th century, Philip Hardwick
for the Earl of Sefton
. It is a Grade II* listed building.
In 1902, Sefton House was remodeled for Lord Howard de Walden, who was also Baron Seaford. It was at this time that it became known as Seaford House. Howard de Walden had a unique marble staircase, friezes and paneling installed. It is now the home of Royal College of Defence Studies
, and is usually open to the public free of charge on Open House Weekend each September.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is the largest of the three detached houses which occupy three corners of Belgrave Square
Belgrave Square
Belgrave Square is one of the grandest and largest 19th century squares in London, England. It is the centrepiece of Belgravia, and was laid out by the property contractor Thomas Cubitt for the 2nd Earl Grosvenor, later the 1st Marquess of Westminster, in the 1820s. Most of the houses were occupied...
in the exclusive district of Belgravia
Belgravia
Belgravia is a district of central London in the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Noted for its immensely expensive residential properties, it is one of the wealthiest districts in the world...
. Seaford House is a white stucco building with four main stories.
Dated 1842, it was designed by one of the leading architects of the 19th century, Philip Hardwick
Philip Hardwick
Philip Hardwick was an eminent English architect, particularly associated with railway stations and warehouses in London and elsewhere...
for the Earl of Sefton
Earl of Sefton
The title Earl of Sefton was created in the Peerage of Ireland in1771 for the 8th Viscount Molyneux. The Earls of Sefton held the subsidiary titles Viscount Molyneux, of Maryborough in the Queen's County , in the Peerage of Ireland, and Baron Sefton, of Croxteth in the County Palatine of Lancaster...
. It is a Grade II* listed building.
In 1902, Sefton House was remodeled for Lord Howard de Walden, who was also Baron Seaford. It was at this time that it became known as Seaford House. Howard de Walden had a unique marble staircase, friezes and paneling installed. It is now the home of Royal College of Defence Studies
Royal College of Defence Studies
The Royal College of Defence Studies is an internationally-renowned institution and component of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom...
, and is usually open to the public free of charge on Open House Weekend each September.