The Heath House

The Heath House is a Gothic Revival country house near the village of Tean in Staffordshire, England. It was built in the 1830s for a family of textile manufacturers and now carries the high Grade II* listing, a status given to particularly important buildings.

What is The Heath House?

It is a large house with its own estate, set in the Staffordshire Moorlands countryside close to Tean. The national register places it in the parish of Checkley, on Hollington Road. Several other buildings called Heath House exist in the county, such as a Grade II farmhouse in Horton, so check the details before searching records.

Who built it, and when?

The present house dates from around 1836. The client was John Burton Philips, a mill owner from Tean and a former High Sheriff of Staffordshire; some sources spell the surname "Phillips". The architect was Thomas Johnson of Lichfield. The Philips family had held land here since the 1680s, and the new house replaced an earlier Georgian mansion.

The architects also drew up a classical option based on refacing the old building. The owner chose the fashionable Tudor Gothic look instead.

What makes the architecture stand out?

Historic England describes the style as Tudor Gothic, laid out on a large H-shaped plan. A low vaulted entrance hall leads into a spacious stair hall. According to the listing text, almost all the interior fittings, wallpaper included, survive from the original build. That makes the house a well-preserved example of an early Victorian English mansion.

What happened to it in the 20th century?

During the Second World War the Red Cross requisitioned the house and ran it as an auxiliary hospital. Afterwards it returned to the Philips family, who still live there. Local accounts also say Florence Nightingale visited after the Crimean War.

Can you visit?

Heath House is a family home, not an attraction with regular opening hours. Guided tours are sometimes possible, but they must be arranged beforehand. Check the current arrangements with the owners before you travel. Little can be seen from the approach road, so do not turn up without a booking.

How do you get there?

The estate lies on Hollington Road, in the Upper Tean area of rural Staffordshire Moorlands. Driving is the practical option; confirm the address and directions with the owners when you arrange a visit.

Frequently asked questions

Where is The Heath House? Near Tean in Staffordshire, England. In the heritage register the entry falls under the parish of Checkley.

What is its listing grade? Grade II*, first listed on 3 January 1967.

Who designed it? Thomas Johnson of Lichfield, around 1836, for John Burton Philips.

Can I go inside? It is lived in by the family. Entry is only by pre-arranged guided visit, so contact the owners first.