Brentford’s historic Boston Manor House has been restored to its former glory following a five-year project.
Published: Thursday, 15th June 2023
Marking its 400th anniversary, Boston Manor House will reopen on Friday 7 July, with a weekend of special opening events. Prior to its public opening, Hounslow Council Leader Councillor Shantanu Rajawat joined funders who have made the £6 million project possible for a preview of the Grade 1 listed property.
Through funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund and Historic England, the site was finally removed from Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk Register’ in 2022.
Set amongst 34 acres of grounds, overlooking a beautiful lake along with ancient cedar trees, the three-storey Jacobean property was built for Lady Mary Reade in 1623 and is one of the earliest examples of English Renaissance style in London.
Image above: Boston Manor House
Many architectural and decorative additions were made by the Clitherow family who owned the House from the 1670’s until the 1920’s, making it a unique venue for the public to explore. The restoration work even revealed original wallpapers from the eighteenth and nineteenth century which have been preserved and available for the public to view for the first time in centuries.
Although restored to resemble the interior of a home in the 1600s and later periods, there is a modern stamp on Boston Manor House with a newly installed lift making the property fully accessible for the first time in its history.
Free to enter all year round, the House will include a community programme of learning and public events, volunteering opportunities, exhibitions, galleries, a modern café and the House will be available to hire as a stunning wedding venue.
From left to right: Cllr Shivraj Grewal, Hounslow Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities and Culture, Breda Daley, Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas for Historic England, Cllr Afzaal Kiani, Mayor of Hounslow, Louise Duggan, Head of Regeneration for Mayor of London, Cllr Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council, and Stuart McLeod, Director of England, London & South for The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
From left to right: Stuart McLeod, Director of England, London & South for The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Louise Duggan, Head of Regeneration for Mayor of London, Breda Daley, Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas for Historic England, Cllr Afzaal Kiani, Mayor of Hounslow, Cllr Shivraj Grewal, Hounslow Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities and Culture.
Leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Shantanu Rajawat, said: “There is so much to celebrate about the restoration of Boston Manor House which brings us here today to see the site in its former glory in 2023, when the House celebrates its 400th Anniversary.
“This has all been made possible with the incredible support of our funders. We are extremely grateful for the support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, and the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund.
“I would also like to thank the Purcell Architects, as well as all the dedicated craftspeople and the Council’s Heritage Team who have worked tirelessly to bring the restoration project to life”.
“There have been so many incredible achievements, from the House being removed from Historic England’s ‘Heritage At Risk Register’ in 2022 to the project accredited as ‘highly commended’ at the Civic Trust AABC Conservation Awards, which recognises the highest standards of historic building conservation across the UK.
“We want to keep going and make Boston Manor House an internationally known destination.”
Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re thrilled to see Boston Manor House reopen after nearly £4 million support, thanks to National Lottery players. This project has seen this Grade I listed Jacobean building be completely restored to safeguard it for the future - the perfect way to celebrate its 400th year. We are proud to have also invested a similar amount into the park at the same time, which has helped to intrinsically link this fantastic building to the parkland it sits in. Heritage has a huge role to play in instilling pride in communities and boosting local economies, and this project is a fantastic example of achieving these aims.”
Duncan Wilson, Historic England Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted that the vital conservation work at Boston Manor House has now been completed, securing the building’s future after more than 20 years at risk. Working in close partnership with Hounslow Council and partners we are glad to have played our part in the House’s revival through funding and sharing advice and expertise. It’s particularly pleasing that the House has not only been repaired and upgraded to enable full access but that it also remains in public ownership, ensuring it stays open for future generations to enjoy."
Jules Pipe CBE, Deputy Mayor of Planning, Regeneration and Skills, said: “I’m very pleased the Mayor of London has been able to support the restoration of Boston Manor House through his Good Growth Fund. It’s a great example of the variety of historic places our city has to offer.
“It’s essential we protect and celebrate our historic buildings for future generations to enjoy. They tell us stories of past centuries but also play a powerful role in shaping vibrant and prosperous places for our communities today.
“The restoration project of Boston Manor House is a fine example of people coming together and working incredibly hard to ensure our heritage assets are valued, whilst creating a space for public enjoyment in west London”.
For more information and to book onto events, visit and follow Boston Manor House on Eventbrite.
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