The Pre-Raphaelites: The Bungalow Connection

Following on from Joss’s post below about studio houses, here’s a random fact for you: Dante Gabriel Rossetti wasn’t just an artistic pioneer; he was also one of the first men in England to die in a bungalow.

This, admittedly, was because he was also one of the first people in England to live in a bungalow – but even so.

Said bungalow was out in Birchington-on-Sea in Kent where in the 1880s the Arts & Crafts architect John Seedon built an up-market single-storied estate – the very first of its kind in England.

Rail travel had brought the seaside within reach of the masses, so the Tower Bungalow Estate was carefully pitched – and priced – as a well-bred retreat untainted by cheap working class amusements.

In 1881, a sniffy Athol Mayhew wrote:

“Here there are no German bands in the gardens, no distressing minstrels on the sands, no revolting donkey drivers on the roads.  Birchington offers absolutely nothing, not even a solitary tea garden.”

An ailing Rossetti fetched up here in 1882 but even the absence of minstrels and donkey drivers couldn’t save him. He died a few weeks later and is buried in Birchington-on-Sea cemetery.

According to Wikipedia, admirers still come and leave flowers on his grave. The bungalow he died in was demolished in the 60s but some of the tower bungalows still stand and come up for sale from time to time.

Pics:  thanks to Birchington Heritage Trust for use of pictures.

For more on bungalows, see Buyer’s Guide: Bungalows and The Truth About … Bungalows.

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