The Heath House
Encyclopedia
The Heath House is a Gothic Revival
mansion
and estate located near the village of Tean
in Staffordshire
, England
.
) and his wife Joanna. However, the Philips family first bought the estate in the 1680s, and the current house replaced an older construction. Notable guests who have visited The Heath House over the years include Florence Nightingale
who came to the house after the Crimean War
.
The Heath House was requisitioned
for the Red Cross during World War II
, and was used as an auxiliary hospital
for military personnel. After the war the property was returned to the Philips family.
television programme presented by hotelier Ruth Watson
as part of her Country House Rescue
series.
On January 19, 2011, it was featured as one of four different houses to be shown on the ITV1
television show May The Best House Win
. Family representative Ben Philips showed the guests around it.
Gothic Revival architecture
The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
mansion
Mansion
A mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. real estate brokers define a mansion as a dwelling of over . A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms...
and estate located near the village of Tean
Tean, Staffordshire
Tean is a village in Staffordshire, England. It is around south-east of Stoke-on-Trent.The village is itself composed of two villages: Upper Tean and Lower Tean....
in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, 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...
.
History
The current house was first constructed in 1836 for John Burton Philips (previously a High Sheriff of StaffordshireHigh Sheriff of Staffordshire
This is a list of the High Sheriffs of Staffordshire.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred...
) and his wife Joanna. However, the Philips family first bought the estate in the 1680s, and the current house replaced an older construction. Notable guests who have visited The Heath House over the years include Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale OM, RRC was a celebrated English nurse, writer and statistician. She came to prominence for her pioneering work in nursing during the Crimean War, where she tended to wounded soldiers. She was dubbed "The Lady with the Lamp" after her habit of making rounds at night...
who came to the house after the Crimean War
Crimean War
The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
.
The Heath House was requisitioned
Eminent domain
Eminent domain , compulsory purchase , resumption/compulsory acquisition , or expropriation is an action of the state to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent...
for the Red Cross during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and was used as an auxiliary hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
for military personnel. After the war the property was returned to the Philips family.
Current Status
Today, The Heath House continues to be inhabited by members of the Philips family who own and use the house and grounds as a private dwelling. However, The Heath House is periodically opened to the public for guided tours over the summer months and bank holidays. It is also hired out as a venue for weddings, private receptions and corporate events.Television appearances
In March 2010 and September 2011, The Heath House was the subject of a Channel 4Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
television programme presented by hotelier Ruth Watson
Ruth Watson
Ruth Watson , is an English hotelier, broadcaster and food writer.-Early life and career:Born in London, Ruth Watson was educated in London and at Westonbirt School in Gloucestershire...
as part of her Country House Rescue
Country House Rescue
Country House Rescue is an observational documentary series which airs on British terrestrial television channel, Channel 4. The series has also aired on BBC Canada, ABC1 in Australia and Living in New Zealand....
series.
On January 19, 2011, it was featured as one of four different houses to be shown on the ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
television show May The Best House Win
May The Best House Win
May The Best House Win is a Lifestyle Gameshow created by ITV Studios's Shiver Productions. The first series ran from the 23 to the 27 of February 2010...
. Family representative Ben Philips showed the guests around it.