The Wernher Collection

Built in 1700, beautiful, elegant, and full of lovely art

Location: Ranger's House, Chesterfield Walk, Blackheath, SE10 8QX

Description: Dating back to 1700, when it was originally built by the famous Royal Naval figure, Vice-Admiral Francis Hosier, 'Ranger's House' is a beautifully elegant Georgian villa, located in Blackheath, by Greenwich Park.

It's not only gorgeous on the outside, but inside, well you'll find The Wernher Collection, a sumptuous art collection, collated by the Victorian-era diamond magnate, Sir Julius Wernher.

After Francis Hosier occupancy, the house was inherited by Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield. The fascinating history of Ranger's House even includes royal patronage, when the villa became the residence of Princess Sophia of Gloucester, the great granddaughter of King George II.

And so to the present day and The Wernher Collection, a fabulous collection of approximately 700 pieces acquired by Sir Julius Wernher in the 19th and early-20th centuries, which occupy twelve rooms, and include works by such distinguished names as Sir Joshua Reynolds, Francesco Francia, John Hoppner, Filippino Lippi, George Romney, Gabriel Metsu and Hans Memling.

English Heritage manage the property so why not pay them a visit.

Themes: Art Art Theme