Linden House Riverside

Linden House is a charming four-storey riverside property with elegant south facing façade. Currently used as a sailing and rowing clubhouse, Linden House was purchased in 2001 by the London Corinthian Trust, a registered charity. The area surrounding Linden House was known as Seagreens. Over time the land was divided into various estates and dwellings such as Seagreens, Upper Mall House, Linden House and Grafton House were built. The most famous owner of Seagreens was Louis Weltje, the continental head cook to the Prince of Wales. Although the exact date of the construction of Linden House may never be known, it is first recorded as a named dwelling in 1795. Anecdotal evidence suggests that a Dutch merchant named Isaac le Gooch may have built Linden House as early as 1685. Although Linden House was used as a private dwelling for much of the 18th and 19th century the Victorian era brought major changes to the area. By late Victorian times the house became home to St. Katherine's College for Girls and this occupation lasted until at least the outbreak of the First World War. In 1913 the Directors of the local bakery firm J. Lyons & Co bought Linden House as its sports and social club. During the Second World War Linden House was used for various purposes to support the war effort, before reverting back to a clubhouse use in 1946. Lyons remained in occupation until at least 1956 and the building subsequently transferred to Council ownership. During the 1950s the local Council wanted to relocate the London Corinthian Sailing Club (LCSC) from their old damaged clubhouse downstream. Linden House was offered as a replacement property to rent. Linden House has a long and happy association with the River Thames. The house is owned and run by the London Corinthian Trust, a registered charity that promotes water sport and the preservation of Linden House. The house is also the clubhouse for the London Corinthian Sailing Club and the Sons of the Thames Rowing Club. These associations help to give Linden House its unique character and atmosphere as a venue and part of the role of the London Corinthian Trust is to support the upkeep and preservation of this architectural jewel by hiring out its rooms and facilities and offering hospitality services. Linden House Riverside was created in order to support the charity in raising funds to fulfill its charitable objectives.