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{{Short description|English historic house and museum}}
:''This article is about the house in Cumbria; for the Belfast football club see [[Brantwood F.C.]]. For the community in Wisconsin, see [[Brantwood, Wisconsin]]'' For the subdivision in Houston, see [[Morningside Place, Houston|Morningside Place]]<!--Brantwood is one of the subdivisions of Morningside Place-->.
{{about|the house in Cumbria|the Belfast football club|Brantwood F.C.|the community in Wisconsin|Brantwood, Wisconsin|the subdivision in Houston|Morningside Place, Houston}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox Historic Site | name = Brantwood| native_name = | image = Brantwood.jpg| image_size = 250| caption = Photograph taken from the [[Gondola (steam yacht)|''Gondola'']] on [[Coniston Water]]| locmapin = Cumbria| map_width = 200| map_caption = Location in Cumbria| alt = | latitude = 54.3535| longitude = -3.0592| coordinates = | coord_parameters = type:landmark_region:GB | coord_display = inline,title | coord_format = dms | location = Overlooking [[Coniston Water]], [[Cumbria]], England, United Kingdom| gbgridref = SD 312 958| area = | elevation = | formed = | founded = | built = Late 18th century| built_for = Thomas Woodville| demolished = | rebuilt = | restored = | restored_by = | architect = | architecture = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | designation1 = Grade II*| designation1_offname = | designation1_type = | designation1_criteria = | designation1_date = 25 March 1970 | delisted1_date = | designation1_parent = | designation1_number = 1335727| designation1_free1name = | designation1_free1value = | designation1_free2name = | designation1_free2value = | designation1_free3name = | designation1_free3value = | designation2 = | designation2_offname = | designation2_type = | designation2_criteria = | designation2_date = | delisted2_date = | designation2_parent = | designation2_number = | designation2_free1name = | designation2_free1value = | designation2_free2name = | designation2_free2value = | designation2_free3name = | designation2_free3value = }}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
<!--Brantwood is one of the subdivisions of Morningside Place-->{{Infobox historic site
| name = Brantwood
| image = Brantwood.jpg
| image_size = 250
| caption = Photograph taken from the [[Gondola (steam yacht)|''Gondola'']] on [[Coniston Water]]
| locmapin = Cumbria
| map_width = 200
| map_caption = Location in Cumbria
| alt =
| coordinates = {{coord|54.3535|-3.0592|type:landmark_region:GB|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| location = Overlooking [[Coniston Water]], [[Cumbria]], England, United Kingdom
| gbgridref = SD 312 958
| area =
| elevation =
| formed =
| founded =
| built = Late 18th century
| built_for = Thomas Woodville
| designation1 = Grade II*
| designation1_offname =
| designation1_type =
| designation1_criteria =
| designation1_date = 25 March 1970
| designation1_parent =
| designation1_number = 1335727
}}
[[File:Brantwood - Project Gutenberg eText 20019.jpg|thumb|Brantwood. The photo is taken from ''Lectures on Landscape'', by [[John Ruskin]], and dates to circa 1871]]
[[File:Brantwood - Project Gutenberg eText 20019.jpg|thumb|Brantwood. The photo is taken from ''Lectures on Landscape'', by [[John Ruskin]], and dates to circa 1871]]


'''Brantwood''' is a [[English country houses|country house]] in [[Cumbria]], England, overlooking [[Coniston Water]]. It has been the home of a number of prominent people, including [[John Ruskin]]. The house and grounds are administered by a [[charitable trust]], the house being a [[museum]] dedicated to Ruskin. The house is recorded in the [[National Heritage List for England]] as a designated Grade&nbsp;II* [[Listed building#England and Wales|listed building]], and buildings in the grounds are also listed.
'''Brantwood''' is a [[historic house museum]] in [[Cumbria]], England, overlooking [[Coniston Water]]. It has been the home of a number of prominent people. The house and grounds are administered by a [[charitable trust]], the house being a museum dedicated to [[John Ruskin]], one of its final owners. Brantwood is recorded in the [[National Heritage List for England]] as a designated Grade&nbsp;II* [[Listed building#England and Wales|listed building]], and buildings in the grounds are also listed.


==History==
==History==
⚫
''Brant'' is an old Norse word meaning "steep" and the house and grounds are situated on a steep wooded area overlooking the lake. Before the house was built the site was regarded as an "essential viewing point" for early visitors to the [[Lake District]] in the 18th&nbsp;century. The original house was built at the end of the 18th&nbsp;century by Thomas Woodville and consisted of between 6 and 8&nbsp;rooms. After a number of owners, the estate and house were enlarged around 1833. In the middle of the 19th&nbsp;century the resident was Josiah Hudson, father of [[Charles Hudson (climber)|Charles Hudson]] who was an [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] [[priest]] and an early [[mountaineering|mountaineer]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|1992|p=22.}}</ref>


⚫
In 1852 the resident was the [[Victorian era|Victorian]] [[Wood engraving|wood engraver]], [[poet]], [[artist]], book [[illustrator]] and [[Reform movement|social reformer]] [[William James Linton]] who bought the house the following year.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|1992|pp=22–23.}}</ref> Between 1858 and 1864, while Linton was living in London, the house was let to [[Gerald Massey]], [[poet]] and [[Egyptology|Egyptologist]]. Linton emigrated with his children to America in 1867.<ref>Wiki article – [[William James Linton]]</ref> In 1869, [[George William Kitchin]], later Dean of [[Durham Cathedral]], took up residence at Brantwood.<ref>{{Citation |author=Ellwood, Rev Thomas |title=The Landnama Book of Iceland |year=1894 |pages=i }}</ref> In 1871 the house was sold to John Ruskin who it is claimed had never previously seen it.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|1992|pp=24–25.}}</ref> However, Kitchin and Ruskin were friends, having met at Oxford,<ref>Wiki article – [[George William Kitchin]]</ref> so it is likely he may have had some prior knowledge of the property. Before Ruskin came to Brantwood in the following year, he arranged for repairs to the house, the addition of a [[Turret (architecture)|turret]], the building of a lodge for his [[valet]] and his family and for improvements to the garden.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|1992|p=25.}}</ref>
⚫
''Brant'' is an old Norse word meaning "steep" and the house and grounds are situated on a steep wooded area overlooking the lake. Before the house was built the site was regarded as an "essential viewing point" for early visitors to the [[Lake District]] in the 18th&nbsp;century. The original house was built at the end of the 18th&nbsp;century by Thomas Woodville and consisted of between 6 and 8&nbsp;rooms. After a number of owners, the estate and house were enlarged around 1833. In the middle of the 19th&nbsp;century the resident was Josiah Hudson, father of [[Charles Hudson (climber)|Charles Hudson]] who was an [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] [[priest]] and an early [[mountaineering|mountaineer]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|p=22.}}</ref>


⚫
For a short time during his stay at Brantwood, Ruskin held tutorial sessions, what would be called today as teaching seminars. These were held three times each week and each day a different subject was covered, namely Art, Literature and Sociology. His evening assistant when he was absent was a Richard Hosken who had been a former student.
⚫
In 1852 the resident was the [[Victorian era|Victorian]] [[Wood engraving|wood engraver]], [[poet]], [[artist]], book [[illustrator]] and [[Reform movement|social reformer]] [[William James Linton]] who bought the house the following year.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|pp=22–23.}}</ref> Between 1858 and 1864, while Linton was living in London, the house was let to [[Gerald Massey]], [[poet]] and [[Egyptology|Egyptologist]]. Linton emigrated with his children to America in 1867.<ref>Wiki article - [[William James Linton]]</ref> In 1869, [[George William Kitchin]], later Dean of [[Durham Cathedral]], took up residence at Brantwood.<ref>{{Citation |author=Ellwood, Rev Thomas |work=The Landnama Book of Iceland |year=1894 |pages=i }}</ref> In 1871 the house was sold to John Ruskin who it is claimed had never previously seen it.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|pp=24–25.}}</ref> However, Kitchin and Ruskin were friends, having met at Oxford,<ref>Wiki article - [[George William Kitchin]]</ref> so it is likely he may have had some prior knowledge of the property. Before Ruskin came to Brantwood in the following year, he arranged for repairs to the house, the addition of a [[turret]], the building of a lodge for his [[valet]] and his family and for improvements to the garden.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|p=25.}}</ref>


⚫
When he was in residence, Ruskin filled the house with art, including paintings by [[Thomas Gainsborough|Gainsborough]], [[J. M. W. Turner|Turner]] and the [[Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood|Pre-Raphaelites]] and a collection of [[mineral]]s, [[pottery]] and [[Animal shell|sea-shells]]. Ruskin was joined in the house by Arthur Severn, an artist married to Joan Agnew, his cousin and their growing family. A frequent visitor to the house was [[W. G. Collingwood|William Gershom Collingwood]], painter, [[Archaeology|archaeologist]] and [[Translation|translator]] of [[North Germanic languages|Nordic]] [[saga]]s who lived nearby. In 1878, a new dining room was built at the south end of the house. A second storey was added around 1890 to provide additional rooms for the Severn family and a studio was built at the rear of the house for the use of Arthur Severn. During this time the estate was also extended.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|1992|pp=26–27.}}</ref>
⚫
For a short time during his stay at Brantwood, Ruskin held tutorial sessions, what would be called today as teaching seminars. These were held three times each week and each day a different subject was covered. Namely Art, Literature and Sociology. His evening assistant when he was absent was a Richard Hosken who had been a former student.


===Brantwood Trust===
⚫
When he was in residence, Ruskin filled the house with art, including paintings by [[Thomas Gainsborough|Gainsborough]], [[J. M. W. Turner|Turner]] and the [[Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood|Pre-Raphaelites]] and a collection of [[mineral]]s, [[pottery]] and [[Animal shell|sea-shells]]. Ruskin was joined in the house by Arthur Severn, an artist married to Joan Agnew, his cousin and their growing family. A frequent visitor to the house was [[W. G. Collingwood|William Gershom Collingwood]], painter, [[Archaeology|archaeologist]] and [[Translation|translator]] of [[North Germanic languages|Nordic]] [[saga]]s who lived nearby. In 1878 a new dining room was built at the south end of the house. A second storey was added around 1890 to provide additional rooms for the Severn family and a studio was built at the rear of the house for the use of Arthur Severn. During this time the estate was also extended.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|pp=26–27.}}</ref>
⚫
Following the death of Ruskin in 1900, the house and estate were inherited by the Severn family. In Ruskin's [[will (law)|will]], the wish was expressed that the house should be open for 30 days a year for visitors to see his house and collection.<ref>{{Harvnb|Dearden|2009|p=31.}}</ref> However, the Severns did not honour this intention and they sold many of the better pictures. After the death of Arthur Severn in 1931, the remaining contents of the house were sold by auction. [[Emily Warren (artist)|Emily Warren]], John Ruskin's last pupil, instigated a successful movement to have Brantwood made into a museum. The house was saved for the nation by John Howard Whitehouse, founder of [[Bembridge School]] and of the Birmingham Ruskin Society, who bought the house. He established the '''Brantwood Trust''', a [[Charitable organization|registered charity]],<ref>{{EW charity|504743|BRANTWOOD (JOHN RUSKIN MEMORIAL TRUST)}}</ref> in 1951 to care for the property for posterity.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|1992|p=30.}}</ref>

⚫
Following the death of Ruskin in 1900, the house and estate were inherited by the Severn family. In Ruskin's [[will (law)|will]] the wish was expressed that the house should be open for 30 days a year for visitors to see his house and collection. However the Severns did not honour this intention and they sold many of the better pictures. After the death of Arthur Severn in 1931 the remaining contents of the house were sold by auction.
[[Emily Warren]], John Ruskin's last pupil, instigated a successful movement to have Brantwood, made into a museum. The house was saved for the nation by John Howard Whitehouse, founder of [[Bembridge School]] and of the Birmingham Ruskin Society, who bought the house. He established the Brantwood Trust in 1951 to care for the property for posterity.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|p=30.}}</ref>


==House and grounds==
==House and grounds==
⚫
The house is listed at Grade II*.<ref>{{NHLE |num= 1335727|desc= Brantwood|access-date= 4 July 2013|mode=cs2}}</ref> The following rooms are open to the public. The [[drawing room]] still includes Ruskin's [[Secretaire en portefeuille|secretaire]], bookcase and shell-cabinet. The [[wallpaper]] is a copy of Ruskin's design and his drawing of the north porch of [[St Mark's Basilica|St. Mark's, Venice]], hangs above the shell-cabinet. Next door is the [[Study (room)|study]] where Ruskin worked which contains a painting by [[Samuel Prout]]. The [[dining room]], built in 1878, has views over to the Coniston mountains through its seven [[lancet window]]s. It contains a portrait of Ruskin aged&nbsp;3 painted by [[James Northcote (painter)|James Northcote]]. The old dining room contains some early drawings by Ruskin. Upstairs in the turret is Ruskin's bedroom.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|1992|pp=31–32.}}</ref>


⚫
In the grounds are four more listed buildings. The lodge and former stable are listed at Grade II*.<ref>{{NHLE |num= 1087283|desc= Lodge and former stable approximately 70 metres to south of Brantwood|access-date= 4 July 2013|mode=cs2|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> Listed at Grade&nbsp;II are the former coach house and stable,<ref>{{NHLE |num= 1107197|desc= Former coach house and stable approximately 100 metres south of Brantwood|access-date= 4 July 2013|mode=cs2|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> another outbuilding,<ref>{{NHLE |num= 1107193|desc= Outbuilding approximately 30 metres to south of Brantwood|access-date= 4 July 2013|mode=cs2|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> and an [[Ice house (building)|ice house]].<ref>{{NHLE |num= 1087284|desc= Ice house approximately 30 metres to north of Brantwood|access-date= 4 July 2013|mode=cs2|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> In the Linton Room in the Linton Building, there is a [[lithophone]], called "The Musical Stones", which visitors may play.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brantwood.org.uk/musical-stones.htm |title=Musical Stones: Rock music from the Cumbrian Hills |publisher=Brantwood Trust |access-date=6 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128033020/http://www.brantwood.org.uk/musical-stones.htm |archive-date=28 January 2013 }}</ref>
⚫
The house is listed at Grade II*.<ref>{{NHLE |num= 1335727|desc= Brantwood|accessdate= 4 July 2013|separator=,|ps=}}</ref> The following rooms are open to the public. The [[drawing room]] still includes Ruskin's [[Secretaire en portefeuille|secretaire]], bookcase and shell-cabinet. The [[wallpaper]] is a copy of Ruskin's design and his drawing of the north porch of [[St Mark's Basilica|St. Mark's, Venice]] hangs above the shell-cabinet. Next door is the [[Study (room)|study]] where Ruskin worked which contains a painting by [[Samuel Prout]]. The [[dining room]], built in 1878, has views over to the Coniston mountains through its seven [[lancet window]]s. It contains a portrait of Ruskin aged&nbsp;3 painted by [[James Northcote (painter)|James Northcote]]. The old dining room contains some early drawings by Ruskin. Upstairs in the turret is Ruskin's bedroom.<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|pp=31–32.}}</ref>


⚫
The garden was used by Ruskin to experiment in various forms of cultivation and drainage and it contains a series of steep and winding paths. After his death, more ornamental shrubs and trees were planted. The area then became overgrown until it was rediscovered in the 1980s and it has been much restored since. The [[Estate (house)|estate]] covers around {{convert|250|acre|km2}} and includes lakeshore, [[pasture]], [[oak]] woods, and [[moorland]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|1992|p=33.}}</ref>
⚫
In the grounds are four more listed buildings. The lodge and former stable are listed at Grade II*.<ref>{{NHLE |num= 1087283|desc= Lodge and former stable approximately 70 metres to south of Brantwood|accessdate= 4 July 2013|separator=,|ps=|fewer-links=x}}</ref> Listed at Grade&nbsp;II are the former coach house and stable,<ref>{{NHLE |num= 1107197|desc= Former coach house and stable approximately 100 metres south of Brantwood|accessdate= 4 July 2013|separator=,|ps=|fewer-links=x}}</ref> another outbuilding,<ref>{{NHLE |num= 1107193|desc= Outbuilding approximately 30 metres to south of Brantwood|accessdate= 4 July 2013|separator=,|ps=|fewer-links=x}}</ref> and an [[Ice house (building)|ice house]].<ref>{{NHLE |num= 1087284|desc= Ice house approximately 30 metres to north of Brantwood|accessdate= 4 July 2013|separator=,|ps=|fewer-links=x}}</ref> In the Linton Room in the Linton Building there is a [[lithophone]], called "The Musical Stones", which visitors may play.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brantwood.org.uk/musical-stones.htm|title=Musical Stones: Rock music from the Cumbrian Hills|publisher=Brantwood Trust|accessdate=6 January 2013}}</ref>

⚫
The garden was used by Ruskin to experiment in various forms of cultivation and drainage and it contains a series of steep and winding paths. After his death more ornamental shrubs and trees were planted. The area then became overgrown until it was rediscovered in the 1980s and it has been much restored since. The [[Estate (house)|estate]] covers around {{convert|250|acre|km2}} and includes lake shore, [[pasture]], [[oak]] woods and [[moorland]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Hanson|p=33.}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Cumbria}}
{{Portal|Cumbria}}
*[[Grade II* listed buildings in South Lakeland]]
*[[Listed buildings in Coniston, Cumbria]]
*[[Ruskin Museum]], Coniston
*[[Ruskin Museum]], Coniston
*[[The Ruskin - Library, Museum and Research Centre]]


==References==
==References==
'''Citations'''
;Citations
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}
'''Sources'''
;Sources
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{citation | last = Hanson | first = B. | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Brantwood: John Ruskin's home 1872-1900 |edition= | publisher = Brantwood Trust | isbn = 0-9507524-1-X}}
*{{cite book| last = Dearden | first = James S. | title = Brantwood: The story of John Ruskin's Coniston home | publisher = Ruskin Foundation | isbn = 978-0-9550938-3-8 | date=2009 }}
*{{cite book| last = Hanson | first = Bruce | title = Brantwood: John Ruskin's home 1872–1900 | publisher = Brantwood Trust | isbn = 0-9507524-1-X | date=1992 }}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.brantwood.org.uk/ Brantwood Trust]
*[https://www.brantwood.org.uk/ Official website]
*[http://www.thecumbriadirectory.com/Tourist_Attractions/Historic_Houses_and_Buildings/house_view.php?house=brantwood The Cumbria Directory - Brantwood]
*[http://www.thecumbriadirectory.com/Tourist_Attractions/Historic_Houses_and_Buildings/house_view.php?house=brantwood The Cumbria Directory – Brantwood]

{{John Ruskin}}


[[Category:1951 establishments in England]]<!-- as a trust -->
[[Category:Museums established in 1951]]
[[Category:Country houses in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Country houses in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Historic house museums in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Historic house museums in Cumbria]]
Line 48: Line 82:
[[Category:Art museums and galleries in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Art museums and galleries in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Gardens in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Gardens in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed houses in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed houses]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Cumbria]]
[[Category:John Ruskin]]
[[Category:Charities based in Cumbria]]

Latest revision as of 17:21, 13 November 2023

This article is about the house in Cumbria. For the Belfast football club, see Brantwood F.C. For the community in Wisconsin, see Brantwood, Wisconsin. For the subdivision in Houston, see Morningside Place, Houston.

Brantwood
Photograph taken from the Gondola on Coniston Water
LocationOverlooking Coniston Water, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom
Coordinates54°21′13″N 3°03′33″W / 54.3535°N 3.0592°W / 54.3535; -3.0592
OS grid referenceSD 312 958
BuiltLate 18th century
Built forThomas Woodville
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated25 March 1970
Reference no.1335727
Brantwood is located in Cumbria
Brantwood
Location in Cumbria
Brantwood. The photo is taken from Lectures on Landscape, by John Ruskin, and dates to circa 1871

Brantwood is a historic house museum in Cumbria, England, overlooking Coniston Water. It has been the home of a number of prominent people. The house and grounds are administered by a charitable trust, the house being a museum dedicated to John Ruskin, one of its final owners. Brantwood is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building, and buildings in the grounds are also listed.

History[edit]

Brant is an old Norse word meaning "steep" and the house and grounds are situated on a steep wooded area overlooking the lake. Before the house was built the site was regarded as an "essential viewing point" for early visitors to the Lake District in the 18th century. The original house was built at the end of the 18th century by Thomas Woodville and consisted of between 6 and 8 rooms. After a number of owners, the estate and house were enlarged around 1833. In the middle of the 19th century the resident was Josiah Hudson, father of Charles Hudson who was an Anglican priest and an early mountaineer.[1]

In 1852 the resident was the Victorian wood engraver, poet, artist, book illustrator and social reformer William James Linton who bought the house the following year.[2] Between 1858 and 1864, while Linton was living in London, the house was let to Gerald Massey, poet and Egyptologist. Linton emigrated with his children to America in 1867.[3] In 1869, George William Kitchin, later Dean of Durham Cathedral, took up residence at Brantwood.[4] In 1871 the house was sold to John Ruskin who it is claimed had never previously seen it.[5] However, Kitchin and Ruskin were friends, having met at Oxford,[6] so it is likely he may have had some prior knowledge of the property. Before Ruskin came to Brantwood in the following year, he arranged for repairs to the house, the addition of a turret, the building of a lodge for his valet and his family and for improvements to the garden.[7]

For a short time during his stay at Brantwood, Ruskin held tutorial sessions, what would be called today as teaching seminars. These were held three times each week and each day a different subject was covered, namely Art, Literature and Sociology. His evening assistant when he was absent was a Richard Hosken who had been a former student.

When he was in residence, Ruskin filled the house with art, including paintings by Gainsborough, Turner and the Pre-Raphaelites and a collection of minerals, pottery and sea-shells. Ruskin was joined in the house by Arthur Severn, an artist married to Joan Agnew, his cousin and their growing family. A frequent visitor to the house was William Gershom Collingwood, painter, archaeologist and translator of Nordic sagas who lived nearby. In 1878, a new dining room was built at the south end of the house. A second storey was added around 1890 to provide additional rooms for the Severn family and a studio was built at the rear of the house for the use of Arthur Severn. During this time the estate was also extended.[8]

Brantwood Trust[edit]

Following the death of Ruskin in 1900, the house and estate were inherited by the Severn family. In Ruskin's will, the wish was expressed that the house should be open for 30 days a year for visitors to see his house and collection.[9] However, the Severns did not honour this intention and they sold many of the better pictures. After the death of Arthur Severn in 1931, the remaining contents of the house were sold by auction. Emily Warren, John Ruskin's last pupil, instigated a successful movement to have Brantwood made into a museum. The house was saved for the nation by John Howard Whitehouse, founder of Bembridge School and of the Birmingham Ruskin Society, who bought the house. He established the Brantwood Trust, a registered charity,[10] in 1951 to care for the property for posterity.[11]

House and grounds[edit]

The house is listed at Grade II*.[12] The following rooms are open to the public. The drawing room still includes Ruskin's secretaire, bookcase and shell-cabinet. The wallpaper is a copy of Ruskin's design and his drawing of the north porch of St. Mark's, Venice, hangs above the shell-cabinet. Next door is the study where Ruskin worked which contains a painting by Samuel Prout. The dining room, built in 1878, has views over to the Coniston mountains through its seven lancet windows. It contains a portrait of Ruskin aged 3 painted by James Northcote. The old dining room contains some early drawings by Ruskin. Upstairs in the turret is Ruskin's bedroom.[13]

In the grounds are four more listed buildings. The lodge and former stable are listed at Grade II*.[14] Listed at Grade II are the former coach house and stable,[15] another outbuilding,[16] and an ice house.[17] In the Linton Room in the Linton Building, there is a lithophone, called "The Musical Stones", which visitors may play.[18]

The garden was used by Ruskin to experiment in various forms of cultivation and drainage and it contains a series of steep and winding paths. After his death, more ornamental shrubs and trees were planted. The area then became overgrown until it was rediscovered in the 1980s and it has been much restored since. The estate covers around 250 acres (1.0 km2) and includes lakeshore, pasture, oak woods, and moorland.[19]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Citations
  1. ^ Hanson 1992, p. 22.
  2. ^ Hanson 1992, pp. 22–23.
  3. ^ Wiki article – William James Linton
  4. ^ Ellwood, Rev Thomas (1894), The Landnama Book of Iceland, pp. i
  5. ^ Hanson 1992, pp. 24–25.
  6. ^ Wiki article – George William Kitchin
  7. ^ Hanson 1992, p. 25.
  8. ^ Hanson 1992, pp. 26–27.
  9. ^ Dearden 2009, p. 31.
  10. ^ "BRANTWOOD (JOHN RUSKIN MEMORIAL TRUST), registered charity no. 504743". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
  11. ^ Hanson 1992, p. 30.
  12. ^ Historic England, "Brantwood (1335727)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 4 July 2013
  13. ^ Hanson 1992, pp. 31–32.
  14. ^ Historic England, "Lodge and former stable approximately 70 metres to south of Brantwood (1087283)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 4 July 2013
  15. ^ Historic England, "Former coach house and stable approximately 100 metres south of Brantwood (1107197)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 4 July 2013
  16. ^ Historic England, "Outbuilding approximately 30 metres to south of Brantwood (1107193)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 4 July 2013
  17. ^ Historic England, "Ice house approximately 30 metres to north of Brantwood (1087284)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 4 July 2013
  18. ^ "Musical Stones: Rock music from the Cumbrian Hills". Brantwood Trust. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  19. ^ Hanson 1992, p. 33.
Sources
  • Dearden, James S. (2009). Brantwood: The story of John Ruskin's Coniston home. Ruskin Foundation. ISBN 978-0-9550938-3-8.
  • Hanson, Bruce (1992). Brantwood: John Ruskin's home 1872–1900. Brantwood Trust. ISBN 0-9507524-1-X.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brantwood.
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