Walnut Tree House

L2 day 14 A quick cycle round the local area. I have passed this house, Walnut Tree House in Hampton Wick, so many times. No sign of the walnut tree any more...possibly it was where the extension was added. This house has a garden leading down to the Thames, the extra is from the other side of the river looking from Canbury Gardens, Kingston.
This house was built in the early 18th century and was lived in by Hugh Mason from 1728 to his death in 1734. Along with William Fortnum in 1707 he founded Fortnum and Masons, still a store in Piccadilly. William Fortnum was a lodger in Mason’s house and convinced his landlord to be his associate and they opened their first grocers shop in St James Market. They also started making up hampers for the wealthy to have ‘picnics’ and some say they invented scotch eggs for these picnics. F & M hampers are still popular presents today. I usually visit in November and buy a few things for Christmas presents...sadly not this year!