Camellia House

Camellia House was originally built as a tea house, where Lady Mary Finch, the Marchioness of Rockingham and wife of the estate’s owner, would entertain her friends and enjoy afternoon tea.

Later, it became home to some of the first camellias brought to the United Kingdom — rare specimens imported from China by the 4th Earl Fitzwilliam at great expense.

Over time, many of the estate’s buildings, including Camellia House, fell into disrepair. In 2017, the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust purchased the mansion and launched an ambitious conservation programme. One of the first major restoration projects was the revival of Camellia House.

Of the original thirty camellias planted in the 1800s, nineteen have survived. These remarkable plants are recognised by the International Camellia Society as some of the oldest surviving camellias in the Western Hemisphere.

As part of the restoration, Michiel Brouns was invited by the architects Donald Insall & Associates to assess the building’s existing timber elements, both inside and out, and to recreate the original paintwork. Traces of linseed paint were still visible, though much had deteriorated with light and age. Fortunately, the timber remained structurally sound — largely because it had never been coated with modern plastic-based paints.

This made the preparation process straightforward: the surfaces were sanded and refinished with fresh linseed oil paint in Brouns & Co Whiteley.

Today, the beautifully restored Camellia House is open once again, welcoming visitors as a distinctive dining destination. And while you’re there, the magnificent main house is certainly worth exploring too.