The Sitwells of Scarborough
Woodend is a beautiful Grade II listed villa in The Crescent, Scarborough, forming part of the town’s cultural quarter.
It was constructed in 1835 by George Knowles and was purchased by Lady Louisa Sitwell in the 1870s.
Lady Louisa was mother to Sir George Sitwell.
Lady Louisa created an elegant drawing room and built the stunning conservatory.
She was also somewhat of a pioneer in the town.
She establishing a Home of Hope for young girls at Red House, Sitwell Street, near Falsgrave.
This was operational until 1911 and was closed in 1914.
Lady Louisa also opened a hospital in King Street for diseases of the ear and eye in the town, with Dr Peckitt Dale as the first surgeon.
The King Street project was opened in 1883.
Son Sir George and his wife Lady Ida Sitwell resided there for several decades.
Sir George was the town’s Member of Parliament from 1892 to 1895.
They had three children.
Edith Sitwell was the eldest, born 7th September 1887.
She had striking looks and photographer Cecil Beaton was fascinated by her appearance and her attractive voice.
Osbert Sitwell arrived 7th December 1892 and was christened at St Mary’s Church, while Sacheverell arrived in 1897.
Between 1916 and 1930, the siblings formed a literary and artist clique.
Well-known personalities featured in the group, such as TE Lawrence, Wilfred Owen and William Walton.
Sacheverell served in the First World War in the Grenadier Guards and in 1925 married Georgia Doble, the daughter of a wealthy Canadian banker.
He later lived at 5 Belvoir Terrace, a blue plaque marks the spot.
In 1934, while the family had vacated the house soon after the First World War ended, Woodend was taken over by the local Council.
It became the Woodend Museum of Natural History until 2006, after which it was completely redeveloped and refurbished becoming Wooded Gallery and Studios, opening April 2008.
It is now Woodend Creative Space and part of it are open to the public.
The Sitwell Family also has connections to a property in Filey Road, Scarborough, not far from the South Cliff area.
