1726-1781
The original estate consists of two farms.
1785
The estate is leased to John Willes, corn factor of Whitechapel, who erects a house in the style of, or possibly by, Robert Adam. This house is named ‘College Place’. The lake is mentioned by Willes, when he first leased the land from Dulwich College, which would indicate that the original boundary of the estate was beyond that point.
1818-1859
After John Willes death there is a new owner, Charles Ranken, a solicitor, who renamed the house ‘Belair’.
1859
Charles Hutton, a wool merchant and sheriff for London and Middlesex, purchases the remainder of the lease. It would seem that the majority of structural changes occur during his ownership. North and South wings, together with conservatories and numerous outbuildings, are constructed and added on. Eventually Belair has 47 rooms, which is very much bigger than it is today. He lives there with his wife, their eleven children, and ten live-in servants. However the house falls into disrepair when Hutton’s Berlin wool business starts to lose money.
1893
Sir Evan Spicer of ‘Spicer’s’ the paper merchants is granted a lease. In his time Beauberry still has a farm with cows, pigs, chickens, ducks and horses including a grey carthorse called Dobbin. In the coach house, by the Gallery Road entrance, there is a coach and horses to take Sir Evan and his family across Dulwich Park to Emmanuel Church (in Barry Road) on Sundays. There is still the original pump outside coach house, which is used to water the horses. Sir Evan Spicer is the last private owner of Belair Estate.
1938-1946
Belair is sold by auction after Spicer’s death. With the onset of World War II, it again falls into a state of ruin. It is used first as a store, then as premises for the military.
1946-1980
Southwark Council purchases the lease. As the main building is in such a poor state it has to be rebuilt from ground level, retaining only the original staircase. These renovations, which are not completed until the 1960’s, manages to restore the house as Willes had built it without the extra wings and conservatories.
1980-1995
Still under council ownership Belair serves a similar purpose to that of a village hall. Many people remember the times when they would use the facilities for ballet lessons or as changing rooms. The only maintenance during this time is the painting of the exterior.
1996-2002
Gary Cady takes over the running of Belair House and oversees a complete refurbishment of the entire building, turning it into a restaurant and bar.
2002 - 2004
Sam Hajaj takes over Belair House for 2 years until November 2002. No major work is carried out in this period.
2004 to Date
Ibi Issolah becomes proprietor and takes over the house, renaming it to ‘Beauberry House’, giving it a fresh start. Major refurbishment is done creating an outside restaurant and bar terrace. Beauberry also renews its wedding license to conduct civil ceremonies and partnerships.
2009
Following being voted ‘Best Wedding Venue in South London’ Beauberry house restaurant is then voted 76th in the country at ‘The National Restaurant Awards 2009’.
2010
Beauberry House is shortlisted as Best British Wedding venue 2010 from ‘Wedding TV’.