Situated in the heart of London, on a estate the size of seven football pitches, sits a mansion called the ambassador's home—this official home of the US diplomat to the UK.
While it may be a grand home, it has over time gained a reputation for throwing spectacular parties, especially on the 4th of July—America's Independence Day. The most recent event showcased a performance by Nile Rodgers headlining on the lawn for thousands of attendees.
A Legacy of Entertainment
Fashion's insiders, athletes, and wartime leaders have all been hosted at the property. Even 1825, when the original site was built, its main purpose was for entertainment, according to the estate's historical information.
Former President Trump is spending the first night of his official trip at the spacious residence. The Trumps also resided there in recent years, as had the Obamas in the past.
"This is more than the home of the diplomat, it serves as a hub of official entertaining," notes a retired employee knowledgeable about the property.
Exclusive and Protected
One thing the residence cannot be called is a public site. Located inside a royal park, it is exclusive and requires advance arrangements to gain access. Visits of the gardens were once arranged by community organizations, but so far this year, permission has been restricted.
From the street nearby, the mansion cannot be seen. It is shrouded in trees and offers exceptional privacy for a downtown location.
"It is difficult to get in there. It felt like a personal achievement that I managed to enter," recalls one guest who calls the house "magnificent" and expresses awe for the landscaping.
Tours permit access to the main level, which serves as a "luxurious" space for events, and the outdoor areas. The first floor is used for the personal apartments of the ambassador.
Being both a home and a site for most American receptions, schedules are tight. "It wasn't a case of we would like to come on a chosen day. Instead, it was just, you will be allowed to enter on the premises on this day," adds the individual.
The estate boasts the second-largest non-public outdoor space in central London, as stated by reports. It contains a grassy area, stone walkways, sculptures—and additionally has room for helicopters to touch down.
Past Importance
Wealthy heiress and beneficiary to the retail fortune Hutton transferred Winfield to the US government for only dollar in 1946 in an arrangement described as "extremely patriotic" by the then-president Harry S Truman.
She had purchased the house a decade earlier, after it was partly damaged in a fire. The Crown Estate Commission allowed her to tear it down and rebuild it in the iconic brickwork Georgian style that remains today.
She named it after her relative, Frank Winfield Woolworth, the creator of the Woolworth shopping chain.
With World War Two approaching and her second marriage facing difficulties, Hutton went back to America with her son in 1939. It would subsequently be revealed that this is when she met her future spouse—film star Grant—who is reported to have resided at the property with her.
Historical and Modern Use
In the war, the estate was commandeered by the Royal Air Force balloon barrage unit with officers reportedly engaging in sports in the grounds.
Hutton returned to London to see what was remaining of the property at the end of the hostilities—and after the enemy bombs. She instructed her lawyer and asked that it be donated to the US government for restoration—and it has been used as the primary home of diplomats ever since.
History is embedded in the walls of the mansion. The original building was called St Dunstan's, and according to historical documents, was used for visually impaired soldiers of World War One. A non-profit of the same name operates currently.
Speaking about American leaders, a source says: "At some point they each visit, at least once." The individual details meeting the former president and his spouse Melania during their prior state visit in 2019, which was "somewhat surreal". They dined at the property with Queen Camilla and the monarch before he rose to the throne.
An iconic photograph of the Soviet leader—the last Soviet head of state—and American leader Bush may be one of the most famous moments from the property. The pair held a combined press event there at the G7 summit in 1991.
Politicians have long utilized it for key moments, including international summits, grand official meals, and uniting military figures.
Events and Protection
Winfield House has staged many diverse functions, per sources.
Included among these are performances by Duran Duran, Ed Sheeran, and Bastille, occasionally in the garden and sometimes inside the house.
Additionally, it has served as home to athletic activities with a royal figure participating in an Invictus Games gathering there. Michelle Obama participated actively with a competition, even doing the team event alongside some well-known spectators.
Style royalty has also graced the halls of the property. A former Vogue boss co-hosted a design event opening party with the ambassador at the time. A music celebrity was seen as well.
Some of the functions would attract "several thousand" of attendees, with the Independence Day celebrations typically gathering a large crowd.
An Secluded Oasis
It's a something of an escape.
"You would never know you're in the middle of London," says one guest.
But what's the most disappointing aspect of the mansion? A source says its entrance road is "rather modest" compared to the remainder of the estate.
"It's big enough for large vehicles but you cannot get a brigade of soldiers marching etc.. It's not like the famous avenue."
