Stanley Picker House: Guided tour FULLY BOOKED
Stanley Picker House: Guided tour
Saturday 18 July at 2:30pm—4:30pm
1 Warren Park, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7HX
Join us on a visit to the Stanley Picker House, the outstanding time capsule of late 1960s luxury.
Stanley Herbert Picker was an enthusiastic and passionate patron of the arts who formed a very individual collection of twentieth-century sculptures and paintings.
The house, which was designed by Kenneth Wood, was completed in 1968; set in a quiet cul-de-sac on Kingston Hill the house was built on steeply sloping ground which both inspired and challenged Wood when planning the modern ‘post and beam’ split-level design of the house with Stanley.
The open plan interior was designed to display Stanley’s beloved art collection, while its spaciousness allowed for social gatherings with friends, family and business acquaintances. Stanley believed in living and working amongst his art collection and so paintings and sculptures are sited all over the house as well as in the garden where they contribute to the atmosphere of this very special place. Many of the pieces were purchased before the house was constructed and were integrated into the design process, with special placement for certain items considered by Kenneth Wood and Stanley from the outset.
In 1976 Stanley again worked with Kenneth Wood to build the Pavilion Gallery in his garden to house the greater part of his collection. He purchased works of art purely for the appeal they held for him personally and not as investments, however he used the addition of the new space on site to consider his collection as a whole and what it would mean in the future. The Gallery construction and first endowment of the trust coincided nearly perfectly, enshrining Stanley’s long held belief in preserving his collection so it might be shared with students and enthusiasts for many years to come.
Stanley Picker died in 1982 leaving his house, the pavilion gallery and art collection in trust; now the Stanley Picker Trust ensures that those interested in the arts may visit and enjoy the wonderful home he created. A lasting tribute and touching insight into a truly remarkable man.
Please note there’s no photography allowed inside the house or gallery and regrettably there’s no wheelchair access.
Members only, capacity limited to 12.
C20 Society Members £35;
Young C20 £15*
*For Young C20 members, please email lukas@c20society.org.uk to secure a place.
The price includes contribution to the Stanley Picker Trust.
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The Twentieth Century Society is an IHBC (Institute of Historic Building conservation) recognised CPD provider.
The Twentieth Century Society is a registered charity, no 1110244
Image above: Interior of Stanley Picker House. Photography copyright Jim Stephenson 2025.