TEMPLE LODGE CLUB
ABOUT TEMPLE LODGE
Temple Lodge is a Grade II listed building and we are dedicated to preserving its architectural and historical legacy. Beyond providing guest accommodation, we maintain an eco-friendly ethos reflected in our use of natural fibres, a largely organic breakfast, and the range of organic Weleda cosmetics and skin-care products available at reception.
The property has a long-standing connection to the arts and literature. Our premises house the archives of Temple Lodge Publishing, which originated in the building’s basement and continues to offer a varied catalogue of titles. We also maintain a close link to the history of former resident Sir Frank Brangwyn; guests interested in his work are encouraged to consult the ‘Brangwyn Bazaar’ digital archive for further research (opens in a new tab).
The artist’s original studio now serves as the home of The Gate Vegetarian Restaurant. Temple Lodge Guests often visit the restaurant, where they can enjoy a discount at certain times. There, the meals are served in a space featuring Brangwyn’s original ‘northern light’ windows.
TEMPLE LODGE CLUB
THE BUILDING’S HISTORY
The Building Believed to have been constructed around 1819, Temple Lodge is a typical late-Georgian villa and a rare surviving example of the period’s local architecture. The main block consists of two storeys with an attic and a north-facing wing. The principal rooms include a double drawing room with tall windows and a secondary room featuring a large bay, both overlooking the garden. A complex of vaulted cellar rooms and corridors lies beneath the house; historical suggestions have linked these structures to an earlier building owned by the Knights Templar, though this remains a subject for further research.
The Brangwyn Era (1899–1934) The property’s most notable occupant was the artist Sir Frank Brangwyn, an associate of William Morris. Brangwyn was a prolific polymath, working in media ranging from etching to large-scale murals. To accommodate his work, he built a 40-foot-square studio at a right angle to the main house. During his residency with his wife, Lucy, the grounds were noted for their collection of rare and exotic plants. It is recorded that Brangwyn frequently acquired both furniture and botanical specimens for the property by trading his own drawings. More information about Brangwyn’s time in Temple Lodge can be found here.
The Christian Community & Modern Era In 1961, the house was acquired by The Christian Community. Since then, the property has undergone extensive restoration to serve its current purpose. Today, Temple Lodge Club is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Christian Community, which maintains a chapel on the premises.
Evelyn Francis Capel
FOUNDER
FOUNDER
The property was purchased in 1961 by Revd Evelyn Capel and several colleagues to establish a centre for The Christian Community. A prolific author, Capel became the first woman to be ordained as a priest in England in 1939. Under her leadership, the upper rooms were opened to provide accommodation for friends and visitors, forming the basis of the current guesthouse.
A note from Evelyn Capel
TEMPLE LODGE CLUB
Ownership
Temple Lodge Club is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Christian Community in London Ltd. For more details of our governance and policies, please click this link.
Guesthouse Manager: Alicja Fediow
Alicja joined Temple Lodge from her native Poland. With extensive experience in the London and Hammersmith hospitality sectors, she oversees daily operations and guest relations.
