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Ranger’s House is a Georgian mansion in southeast London, home to the Wernher Collection of nearly 700 works by famous artists. Originally built by Vice-Admiral Francis Hosier, it was later owned by politicians and royalty. The house was restored in the 1920s and is now managed by English Heritage. Admission is required.
Originally built by Vice-Admiral Francis Hosier, Ranger’s House is a red-brick Georgian mansion located in southeast London. The Palladian-style mansion, once called Chesterfield House, is located in Blackheath, near Greenwich Park. Ranger’s House is home to the Wernher Collection, a series of works showcasing famous artists. Nearly 700 pieces are on display here, including Old Dutch Masters, early religious paintings, and Gothic ivories and Renaissance treasures that reveal the details of medieval craftsmen.
Built on wasteland around 1700, Ranger’s House had an accessible route into London. Admiral Hosier, who made his fortune in trade, lived in the house until 1727, when he died of yellow fever. The 4th Earl of Chesterfield, a politician and former Secretary of State, inherited Ranger’s House. He added a gallery with bay window to the house to display his treasures.
The next owner of Ranger’s House was Richard Hulse in 1782. He added a second gallery with bay window to balance the Chesterfield addition. In the 19th century, the house became the place of residence of Princess Sophia Mathilda of Gloucester, and eventually became the official residence of the Greenwich Park Ranger in 1816.
In the early 20th century, London County Council bought the house; the porch was removed and parts of the interior altered. During the 1920s, Ranger’s House was mainly used for its tea rooms. It was used by the army during WWII and was later damaged by bombs from German warplanes. The house was restored in 1920, when it began to be used as an exhibition space.
Since the early 21st century, Ranger’s home has been home to the Wernher Collection, an art collection assembled by Sir Julius Wernher, a diamond magnate. Among the collection are works by Gabriel Metsu, Hans Memling and Francesco Francia, as well as portraits by John Hoppner, Joshua Reynolds and George Romney. There is a large collection of tapestries and furniture, including Sevres porcelain and a marble sculpture of an angel kissing a woman, created by Bergonzoli.
Ranger’s House is managed by the English Heritage group. The museum offers visitors the opportunity to see an earlier era in the history of England and to explore all the unique works of art available there. Admission is mandatory and subject to change.
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