Description
The Pavilion is a rare and important example of the late work of Oliver Hill, a leading English architect of the mid C20th. It was built for Mr and Mrs Goldetz and is one of only three post-war houses designed by Hill. His design reflects the interest at that time in C18th Garden Pavilions. The house is set to the rear of the site, which has numerous well-grown trees.
Practical Information
| Site location | Warren Road |
|---|---|
| Postcode | KT2 |
| What3Words | ///skin.lifted.regime |
| Type of Site | Private Garden |
| Borough | Kingston |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private |
| Public Transport | Rail: Kingston then bus. Bus: 57 |
| Research Updated | 1 March 2004 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Pending further research
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ204706 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | private |
| Dates | 1958-60 |
| Designers | Oliver Hill |
| Listed Structures | LBII: The Pavilion |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Kingston |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Coombe Wood |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Area of Archaeological Significance, Strategic Area of Special Character |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
The Watergardens were created in the 1860s by horticulturalist James Veitch Jnr, who had purchased land from the Duke of Cambridge for his Coombe Wood Nursery. He laid out former gravel workings in the south of the nursery as a Japanese watergarden, with streams, bridges and plants brought back from Japan, its design apparently inspired by the Willow Pattern in Chinese plates. This part of the nursery was later brought into the grounds of the adjacent Warren House, then owned by banker Hugh Hammersley. It remained part of the grounds of Warren House until 1985 when a parcel of land including the former water gardens was purchased by Octagon developments for a private housing scheme. Veitch's watergardens were restored and have ponds, streams and waterfalls, and numerous rare trees.
Warren House was built as a country house for banker Hugh Hammersley on land that was formerly part of the Coombe Wood estate of the Duke of Cambridge. Adjacent land was in separate ownership of horticulturalist James Veitch who developed a Japanese water garden, which was later brought into the grounds of Warren House. Later owners Lord and Lady Wolverton made additions to the house and gardens, and decorative features and planting dating from the late C19th remain in the grounds today. The house and part of the grounds are now a conference centre, the former water gardens once again in separate ownership as part of a luxury housing scheme.
Now the international training centre for Unilever plc, Four Acres was built in 1929 in 'Vernacular Revival' style by George Warren. Warren also designed the former lodge that originally housed the servants to the main house and later became used for accommodation when the site became a training centre. Adjoining the lodge are a pair of circular brick gate piers with cone tiled tops. The house is set in well planted grounds with water features and sculptures; a low brick terrace is attached to the west and south front of the house, with paving and a flight of stone steps.