Description:
Sutton House, in the East London Borough of Hackney, was built in 1535 and is a rare example of a brick built house from the Tudor period. Although built as a country house by an official in the court of Henry VIII, it has been used by its subsequent occupants for many purposes: as a home, school, church institute and offices and social and economic changes have transformed the original rural setting into a depressed inner city location. Despite changes and additions over the centuries, the house has retained many original features and its essential 'H' plan form. From the early 1980s the building became vacant for nearly a decade and rapidly experienced vandalism, squatting and theft. Sutton house, owned by the National Trust, has been fully restored to display its historic interiors and to serve as an arts and education centre. The Young National Trust Theatre and the Early Music Centre both have their bases at Sutton House and education plays a very important role in the daily program with up to 120 school children a week visiting the house.