Swinhay House

Swinhay House is a futuristic building built by David McMurtry, an industrialist, in North Nibley near Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire.

A view of Swinhay House, showing the panoramic viewing room tower

History

McMurty bought a 230 acres (93 ha) piece of land and forest in North Nibley near Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire[1] on which in a 60 acres (24 ha) section he commissioned award-winning eco-architect David Austin to layout an environmental estate.[2] David Austin designed a modern-day eco-friendly country manor and in 2000 acquired PPG 7 planning permission for it as a "Millennium House",[3] under guidance that allowed for the creation of houses of exceptional architectural interest within the green belt.[3][4] The design, plans and sketches were then passed to Gloucester-based architects Roberts Limbrick to complete the construction drawings whilst architect Andy Rathbone was commissioned to design the surrounding parkland and gardens, which includes a lake adapted for heat exchange purposes.[4] Swinhay House, a ten-level, eight bedroom country home of 33,000 square feet (3,100 m2), which contains a swimming pool, a jacuzzi and sauna, a bowling alley, a squash court, a fully enclosed glazed winter garden and a panoramic viewing room set 14.5 metres (48 ft) above the ground level,[3][4] cost more than £30 million to complete.[4]

Although the house is complete and operational, McMurty and his family do not live in it.[3][4] Instead it is used to host charitable causes, and rented out to fashion photographers and film makers. The home was used in the final episode of the third series of BBC One's Sherlock, as the home of nemesis Charles Augustus Magnussen; the fee for its use was donated to charity.[3][4][5]

References

  1. ↑ The futuristic dream home of one of Britain's leading industrialists Daily Mail, 8 September 2008
  2. ↑ "Swinhay House". David Austin & Associates. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 James Edgar (14 January 2014). "Millionaire owner of Sherlock mansion opts for more modest dwelling". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Inside the real-life Appledore". Daily Mail. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  5. ↑ "Sherlock finale features Gloucestershire's modern-day mansion Swinhay House". Gloucestershire Echo. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.

Coordinates: 51°38′35″N 2°23′22″W / 51.6430°N 2.3894°W / 51.6430; -2.3894

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