Explore The Homewood

External view of The Homewood, Surrey. A smaller brick builder with a large white angular first storey above, suspended on white columns with a row of windows along the front. — East facade of The Homewood | © National Trust Images/Stuart Cox

Discover how architect Patrick Gwynne put his unique vision into every aspect of the design and detail of The Homewood to produce an unconventional, but luxurious, family country villa and a Modernist masterpiece. Take a look at what you might see on your visit.

Discover the house

Entrance hall

You'll enter the house through the front door, dramatically encased in light by the square glass blocks that surround it. The minimalist stylings provide a tantalising glimpse of what is to come, while the large window wall provides your first view of the impressive garden.

Patrick's study

Placed to one side on the ground floor so visitors wouldn't have to enter the main part of the house, Patrick Gwynne originally designed this study for his father. He converted it into his own office in the 1960s and conducted much of his work from here right up until his retirement.

Stairway

This striking spiral stairway at the centre of the house is illuminated by a large sunken uplighter and topped by an unusual chandelier.

A view looking down the striking spiral staircase at The Homewood, Surrey — The spiral staircase at The Homewood | © National Trust Images/Dennis Gilbert

Landing

The curved wall opposite the living wing is adorned by an abstract wax crayon mural, which was originally only designed to be temporary.

Patrick's bedroom

See how Gwynne managed to incorporate all that he needed into a simple design. No space is wasted in his small but well thought out bedroom, where everything has its own place.

Powder room

Patrick created this small space between the bedrooms at the request of his sister, Babs, who had grown tired of sharing her bedroom in their old Victorian house with arriving party guests.

Living room

From the sprung maple dancing floor to the fold-out bar and simple, effective furniture, the living room was designed to make an impression - as the perfect place for a party.

Dining room

Pull back the folding screen door at the end of the living room and you'll find yourself entering the dining area, where Gwynne liked to control the mood using simple lighting variations in the centre of the circular table.

Explore the garden

Once your tour is complete you can take a look around the six-acre estate, where Gwynne sought to create a ‘woodland garden’ in the midst of Esher Common.

Cleverly positioned within the wider garden structure are a series of special gardens, where the emphasis is on contrasting colour and seasonal interest. Near the house and just below the rhododendron tunnel is the grey and yellow garden, which frames views around a paved 'circus' and gives spring and summer interest.

Over the bridge is the 'secret' blue and white garden, with its roses and tumbling summer blooms, whilst to the south of the stepping stones in the foreground is the bog garden. In the background lies the mysterious bamboo and fern thicket, which in turn leads to the purple and variegated walk.

Learn more

Pick up a copy of the richly illustrated guidebook from nearby Claremont to learn more about the fascinating history of The Homewood, Gwynne and the Modernist movement.

Book your visit for April 2025.

The Homewood is currently closed and will reopen in April 2025. Please note you need to book tickets to The Homewood, and tickets for April 2025 will go live in March. You can book for each day up until 8am on the day. Every Thursday time slots will be available for the next 14 days.