The Bantock House

The Bantock House is located in Wolverhampton, England. It is a museum documenting life and local history, especially pertaining of the Edwardian era. It is surrounded by 48 acres of parkland and is run by is run by Wolverhampton City Council's Arts and Museums service. The simple, massive redbrick house was built in the 1730s as as New Merridale Farm. At the end of the 19th century, it has been extended and improved by Thomas Herrick and renamed the Merridale House. His son improved the property further and left it to the Wolverhampton Corporation before he died. The house has been named after him and is a Grade II listed building.

The northwest wing, with its open sided classical porch is newer, having been built onto the house front, thus doubling its size.

Later on, a five sided bay window was added, extending from the drawing room to the main bedroom above. The roof was also modified to its present heavily dentilled style.

The house, especially the ground floor, presents an interactive exhibition of the Bantocks' way of life, as well as exploring the life of other locally important people. The ground floor accommodates a dining room, a drawing room, an impressive Arts and Crafts room, with its a collection of books, and a billiard room. All rooms have paneling and elaborately moulded ceilings.

The upper stories focus on people who have shaped Wolverhampton and the industries they were active in. Locally-made enamels, beautiful steel jewelry and japanned ware is displayed here, as well as a doll house and collection in the childrens room, all in an informal and imaginative setting, as opposed to the traditional glass-case displays.

For instance, visitors are encouraged to sit on the stern and gorgeous wooden furniture, to visit the billiard room furnished with warm massive wood and adorned with portraits, and the Victorian Rooms. Among them, the ladies bedrooms are worth mentioning, due to their beautiful and supple, inlaid japanned furniture, handmade chests and drawers and Victorian womens clothing.

In the Community Gallery, there are temporary exhibitions on display throughout the year.

A splendid glass pavilion offers transition to the yard, to the sunken Dutch Garden, and further on into the colorful Rose Garden

The grounds also include a play area for children, an 18 hole golf course and a football field.

Traveling to London might be an exciting journey as there is much to see and do in the British capital.