Looking back at the history of Wanstead Grove house

George followed in the fashion by laying out pleasure gardens in his 60-acre estate, employing many gardeners for his walled garden and hot-houses. He bemoaned the fact that he was seldom at Wanstead in the autumn to enjoy their produce and he was obliged to give away great quantities of costly fruit. He estimated the gardens cost him £1,000 p.a.

There was probably a good deal of entertaining at the Grove during George’s time as the equipment in silver, china and linen was extensive. At this time the family employed a staff of nine indoor servants. This may have been increased during the London season when his youngest sister, Lady Northwick, acted as his hostess.

The grounds of the Grove by Anne Rushout. Images: Courtesy of Redbridge Heritage Centre (Image: Redbridge Heritage Centre)

George Bowles died at Wanstead on April 30, 1817, and was buried in the family vault in the churchyard and is commemorated by a beautiful tablet in the church by Chantrey, erected by his niece, Anne Rushout. He left bequests to many of his servants and The Grove to Anne as it seems the male lines were all well provided for already.

George Bowles had four brothers and three sisters. Two sisters died unmarried but the youngest, Rebecca, married Sir John Rushout, who was raised to the peerage as Baron Northwick in 1797. Rebecca was a recognised beauty and mother of three beautiful daughters, immortalised by Andrew Plimmer in his Three Graces.

George always referred to Rebecca in affectionate terms and when she died in 1816, her place as his hostess was taken by her daughter, the Hon. Anne Rushout (c.1767-1849), who made her home entirely with her uncle. Anne was approaching 50 but had never married. She had been engaged to her cousin, William Sidney Bowles, son of the Rector of Burford, but he married Anne’s youngest sister, Elizabeth, instead.

When Anne inherited Wanstead Grove, it was more than 120 years old and she decided to rebuild the house in a more modern style. The new house, rebuilt at a cost of about £10,000, was finished by 1822 and is illustrated and described in one of the volumes of Jones’ Views of Seats, Mansions and Castles of noblemen and gentleman in England.

This mentions that “the house has lately been rebuilt by the present noble owner from the design and under the direction of John Webbe, Esq. The dining-room, drawing-room, and library are adorned with a very beautiful collection of pictures … collected by the late George Bowles, Esq., of this seat, a gentleman well known to the world as an admirer of the arts and a patron of modern artists. The gardens at Wanstead Grove are laid out in the style of Le Notre, but are most remarkable for the American plants, which here flourish in a pre-eminent degree and grow to a large size.”

Anne painted many watercolour pictures of her parkland, showing many beautiful mature trees, and four were purchased by Redbridge Museum in 1999.

Anne’s house was a source of considerable pride although it had no claim to any special architectural merit. She made herself a very comfortable home and kept it well maintained, continuing the lavish hospitality for the 30-odd years of her occupancy.

When Anne died at Wanstead in 1849, aged 82, she was buried at Blockley, Worcs, with other members of the Rushout family.

• Georgina Green has been involved with local history in Redbridge, Waltham Forest and the Epping Forest area for 40 years and is the author of several local history books. She was elected a fellow of the Royal Historical Society in 2021.