The site of Yorke House is that of Yorke's farm recorded as occupied by the Yorke family in the 15th century. It was in the gift of the crown, Elizabeth I, James I of England, James VI of Scotland and Henrietta Maria each granted leases on it. In 1633 Andrew Pitcarne obtained a lease followed by the freehold in 1637. Glovers map (in Syon House) dated 1635 shows a building with scaffolding about it. It was bought in 1661 by Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon who was Lord Chancellor of England under Charles II and at that time described as 'his great house' and it probably was the largest house in Twickenham at that time. The house is considered a handsome example of a late 17th century mansion. The major addition to the main structure of three stories from the time of Edward Hyde were the single story wings added between 1746 and 1786. There was also the inclusion by the Austrian ambassador Count Ludwig von Stahremberg, who took ownership in 1796, of a theatre in one wing. The building is now Richmond Council offices. The Borough of Twickenham bought it from the last private owner who was the widow of Sir Ratan Tata the Indian industrialist who was the owner from 1906 until his death in 1918.

O/S Co-ords:1653.7343
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Yorke House

Rural Walks around Richmond