Originally known as 'Bryck Place', Sutton House was built in 1535 by Sir Ralph Sadleir, or Rafe, as he was affectionately known. Rafe was Secretary of State to Henry VIII and the side kick of Thomas Cromwell.
The house is a rare example of a red brick building from the Tudar period. Most houses were wattlecand daub. Sutton House became home to a succession of merchants, sea captains, Huguenot silk-weavers, Vicotrian schoolmistresses and Edwardian Cergy. The frontage was modified in the Georgian period, but the core remains an essentially Tudor building
First stop in the house, following a friendly and informative welcome, was the Linen Fold Parlour. So called because the oak panelling is presented in such a way as to resemble folded linen. This room is in the oldest part of the house and dates from Tudor times.
Beer was the source of hydration as water was unsafe.
An original Tudor window.
A tudor loo. The Garderobe also served to store clothes, the aromas kept out moths.
This is the Great Hall
Sutton House was bought by the National Trust in the 1930s with the proceeds of a bequest. During World War II it was used as a centre for fire wardens, who kept watch from the roof. From the 1960s it was rented by the ASTMS. When the union left in the early 1980s, the house fell into disrepair. It was then occupied by squatters who have left their mark.
After leaving this truly historic house, we had tea in the very reasonable vegan cafe, Black Cat. Where else can you get a cuppa for £1 in London?
Then I say Bye Bye to friends and start an evening with The Young Ones in the Queen's Head, Kings Cross. This is a very nice pub with well kept beer. I was very excited to have one from Black Isle Brewery.
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