The Twickenham Museum
For children

Orleans House
'a vast esteat to entertain soe many'
1710

The Octagon, designed by James Gibbs for Mr Secretary Johnston in about 1718

Mr Secretary Johnston's house as pictured in Vitruvius Britannicus published by Colen Campbell in 1715

Who lived here?

Over the years many families had lived in the house. Louis Philippe, Duc d'Orleans, later the French King lived here for 2 years in the 19th century.

Proposals for improvement by Lord Kilmorey as designed by Henry Kendall Jr, not executed (by courtesy of Orleans House Gallery).

New uses for the Octagon

The Octagon was used in a television version of Great Expectations by Dickens.

Today the Octagon and remaining buildings of the Orleans House Estate, including the stables have become an art gallery. The Gallery shows work by local artists and exhibitions of prints and original paintings of the area. The gardens are allowed to grow wild as a peaceful haven.

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