Voewood was built between 1903-1905 and stands as an enduring testimony to the Arts & Crafts movement. William Morris, the founder and ‘grandfather’ of the Arts & Crafts movement in the UK, famously said: ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.’ With owner Simon Finch’s extraordinary vision, Voewood’s interiors have been meticulously styled with beautiful pieces from high-culture to counter-culture, placed to impress, enchant and amuse.
FROM INSTITUTIONAL TO INSPIRATIONAL
With partitioned rooms, unsympathetic additions and all the trappings of 100 years as a retirement home and hospital, the house needed to be completely stripped back to reveal its true identity.
Resisting the temptation to overly plan or programme, Simon worked with a range of artists to develop the interiors organically and in response to the house. The process was thoughtful and unrushed, working with the unique nuances of the building to create spaces that delight, amuse and surprise.
Smoking
Voewood is a non-smoking, non-vaping house
with a strict no smoking policy within the building.
Guests are allowed to smoke outside using the
ashtrays provided.
Parking
All cars must be parked in the allocated bays along
the driveway. The circular driveway is for
unloading only.
Plumbing
The plumbing is as old as the
house. Anything put down the loo other than loo
paper creates horrible problems for the waste
system.
Safety
Please be careful both in the house and
surrounding gardens. Care must be taken around
the ponds. The water is deep and potentially
dangerous. Young children must be supervised at
all times. The gardens are Grade II* listed and
should be treated accordingly.
Respect must be given to all the artefacts, books
and furniture belonging to Voewood. Like the
house they are unique and irreplaceable.
The terrace doors leading out on to the terrace
area are old, fragile and need careful handling.
The forest at the back of the property backs onto a main road, so please take care when wondering for a wee late at night!