£4.6m to restore 'gothic castle'

Strawberry Hill is on a buildings-at-risk register

A £4.6m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund grant will help rejuvenate one of the most important and influential buildings of the early gothic revival.

Horace Walpole, Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole's son, created Strawberry Hill, in Twickenham, south-west London, in the 18th century.

The gothic castle is on English Heritage's Buildings at Risk register and featured in BBC2's Restoration.

Its wood, stucco and papier-mache pinnacles need particular attention.

The building was used for great political receptions in the 19th century and is currently under the stewardship of St Mary's University College.

'Wonderful news'

It was a tourist attraction in Walpole's time and visitors went to see its fireplaces and gilded ceilings which resembled medieval tombs.

Michael Snodin, of the Strawberry Hill Trust, said: "This is wonderful news for the future of Strawberry Hill.

"We will now be able to work towards the restoration of the building and garden, bringing Walpole's 'little gothic castle' back to its former glory and making it a place everyone can visit and enjoy."

The award is stage one of funding and the Strawberry Hill Trust will now be able to submit a more detailed application for a full grant.