Talk:Highcombe House

John Charnock's 18th century architectural sketches of Lewisham, Greenwich, and surroundings

I'm fascinated by these late 18th century set of sketches by John Charnock that document architecture in Lewisham, Wricklemarsh, Greenwich, Charlton, and Eltham. The collection "Charnock's Views. Volume III. Architecture" is held by the Royal Museums Greenwich .

I believe these sketches provide valuable historical documentation of the area's architecture. They include some buildings that are yet to be identified.

Mjbt (talk) 15:30, 26 April 2025 (UTC) Mjbt (talk) 15:30, 26 April 2025 (UTC) Mjbt (talk) 15:30, 26 April 2025 (UTC)

For instance this picture is confirmed as Woodlands House.

• Charnock's sketch of Woodlands House from the Royal Museums Greenwich collection
• 1866 Ordenance map from the National Library of Scotland showing Woodlands House

These seem to match up well and confirm the location. The sketch provides a visual record of how the house appeared in the late 18th century.

Mjbt (talk) 15:43, 26 April 2025 (UTC) Mjbt (talk) 15:43, 26 April 2025 (UTC)

Regarding another interesting sketch in Charnock's collection:

• View of Charlton Church and an unidentified mansion behind

Contextual notes from the RMG catalog: "Mounted with PAF2844-PAF2878, PAF2880-PAF2927.; Page number 36. The house was previously identified as the Post House Hotel, but while the inn sign on the right refers to that still-existing building (now the Bugle Horn), it is in fact out of sight round the corner to the right beyond the small 17th-century outbuilding (also still standing) of Charlton House, beside the sign [PvdM]."

Looking at the area around Charlton Church on the Ordnance map, could this unidentified mansion actually be the now demolished Springfield Manor?

• Historical map showing Springfield Manor location near Charlton Church

The position seems plausible given the angle of view in Charnock's sketch. Springfield Manor appears on this historical map but was later demolished, which might explain why it's been difficult to identify.

Mjbt (talk) 16:03, 26 April 2025 (UTC) Mjbt (talk) 16:03, 26 April 2025 (UTC)

@User:Paul_W - Thanks for improving the Highcombe article. I'm very much a beginner here and hope to improve what I'm doing.

I was wondering if you've come across John Charnock's 18th century architectural sketches before? They might be of interest for other pages too ?

Mjbt (talk) 20:17, 26 April 2025 (UTC) Mjbt (talk) 20:17, 26 April 2025 (UTC)

Hi, Mjbt. No, I had not seen the Charnock sketches before, and, yes, I expect relevant images may be used for other articles. As you may have noticed from my user page, I live in the Westcombe Park area and have contributed extensively to articles about nearby people and places. Feel free to leave messages on my user Talk page if you want any help. Best wishes. Paul W (talk) 10:22, 28 April 2025 (UTC)

References

Finding architect for Highcombe House?

Investigating who designed Highcombe House (constructed between 1810-1825) for Sir William Congreve, 2nd Baronet. The property, located in Charlton, Kent, was occupied by Congreve from 1826 until his death in 1828. Previous research indicates Congreve had connections to several prominent architects of the period.

Potential Architects of Highcombe House:

Local Connections:

• George Tappen - Already designed East Combe House (1810), demonstrating local expertise
• Joseph Kay - Working on Greenwich Hospital improvements
• Charles Robert Cockerell - Known for refined classical proportions in villa design

Nash Circle:

• John Nash - Connection through Regent's Canal works where Congreve designed lock lift mechanism (1818-1820)
• Decimus Burton - Nash's talented student, designing elegant villas during this period
• Sir John Soane - In Congreve's social circles, occasionally designed private residences

Military-Connected Architects:

• James Wyatt - Associated with Woolwich Arsenal where Congreve was Comptroller
• George Ledwell Taylor - Naval architect with Woolwich connections

Other Possibilities:

• An unnamed associate who continued practice after Gibson designed Woodlands House
• Samuel Pepys Cockerell - Established classical designer active during this period
• Lewis Wyatt - Nephew of James Wyatt, with similar government connections

Does anyone have access to the Staffordshire Record Office archives? The Congreve family collection (D1057) might contain correspondence about Highcombe's construction. Particularly interested in the "Index to contents of steel filing cabinet" (D1057/S/19/1) and personal letters in series D1057/M/O that could mention architectural commissions. Mjbt (talk) 02:12, 27 April 2025 (UTC)