History
Known as King’s Coppice from 1576; Kingswood acquired its present name in the 1800s when William Vizard was granted a 63 year lease for Kingswood Lodge. The House was re-built much as it is today by John Lawson Johnson in the late 1800s, and became known as Bovril Castle. In 1919 Sir William Vestey was granted an 80 year lease on the House and when he was made a Lord in 1922 he took the title Baron Vestey of Kingswood.
The House became the nucleus of the present Estate in 1956.
During the first World War it was used as a hospital for Canadian troops, then as a Nurses home.
During the second World War it was used as offices and the RAF had a barrage balloon in the grounds.
Some of the fireplaces and other fittings come from St Cloud Palace which was destroyed in the Franco-Prussian War.
It has oak panelled walls, machine tapestry friezes in the hall, marble floors and polished oak floors, rich handwork plaster ceilings.
Details of the history can be found in ‘Kingswood’ A History of the House and its Estate compiled by Patrick Darby for the Dulwich Society. Price £5 available from Patrick Darby, 32 Giles Coppice, Dulwich SE19 1XF.