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Christina
The Windermere Manor
“Its History and Its Traditions Maintained”
Somewhere
between “stately and quaint” best describes The Windermere Manor. This fine
Estate,
built in 1925 by John E. Smallman is a faithful architectural reflection of
Tudor
England and a fitting tribute to his father Thomas, a founding member
of “The Imperial Oil
Company.” Although
slightly altered, inside the Manor retains its feeling of a by-gone era of
warmth and
luxury.
Grandson,
John Smallman and his family enjoyed many years in this estate until his
relocation
in the early 1970’s. The Windermere Manor opened its doors in 1991 after
extensive
renovations on the existing Manor House. Planned as a component of the
University
of Western Ontario’s Research Park Development offering meeting/conference
facilities,
food and beverage and hotel accommodations, Windermere Manor is a hotel,
restaurant,
banquet hall, and conference facility – all with a resort-like atmosphere.
The Hotel
is built atop of what was once the large in-ground swimming pool. The original
farm was a
horse farm and cash crops were also grown. The Smallman family although
known for
“Smallman & Ingram Dry Goods” in downtown London and its association with
Imperial
Oil, also had a passion for breeding and racing horses. Down the path between
the
hotel and
Manor House are the remnants of an old stone bridge that was once part of a
horse run
that wound through the property.
More
recently, additions and renovations have allowed for meeting spaces and a guest
room
wing that
were designed to gracefully blend with the original structure and convey a
sense of
period
continuity. These annexes provide today’s guest with all of the comforts and
conveniences
of a modern hotel and meeting facility.
The
baronial splendor of the Grand Hall, with its lofty ceilings, hand-hewn beams,
oak
balcony and
imposing yet welcoming wood-burning stone fireplace, echoes a by-gone era of
pageantry
and privilege.
The
Smallman Family hosted many gala events and celebrations over the years, The
Grand
Hall being
the site for many evenings of entertaining. At Windermere Manor, we continue
in this
fine tradition.
The
Smallman Mansion remains a significant London landmark and its unique setting
and
atmosphere
have helped create fond memories for many visitors and guests over the years.
I could be completely off base here - but I am almost certain the grounds or at least part of it was briefly occupied by a cult of sorts which referred to themselves as 'The Way'. Timeframe would have been around 1985 or 1986. Some friends and I from Masonville Elementary school lived nearby and checked it out one weekend. Never got to close, as we were scared. Wondering if something so vivid or distict could be a false memory.
ReplyDeleteStayed at this fabulous place in the 1960s when it was named Hammerbank House on a school holiday the school was Stocktonwood primary Speke Liverpool I went for 2yrs on the run, we walked all over the lake district it was fantastic and in the evening we played games and shared many happy hours would love to return one day before om too old
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