Hanover Terrace

REGENT’S PARK, NW1

The former London home of playwright Harold Pinter and his actress wife Vivien Merchant, where they entertained The Beatles, Michael Caine and Dirk Bogarde.

Designed by neoclassical architect John Nash, the white-stucco house was built in 1822-23 by J.M. Aitkins as part of a Palladian terrace of 20 grand houses, named after the Viceroy of Hanover, designed by the Crown Estate for the family and friends of HRH The Prince Regent.

Originally owned by an aristocratic family and then a wealthy banking family, in the late 1950s the house became the London home of BritishAmerican racing driver Lance Reventlow (19361972), the son of heiress Barbara Woolworth Hutton. Born in nearby Winfield House, Reventlow moved from California to London in 1959 to race his Scarab cars in Britain’s Formula One, returning in 1962 to the United States.

During the 1960s and 1970s the Hanover Terrace house became the London home of which was attended by all the members of The Beatles, Michael Caine (who had starred with Vivien in the movie Alfie in 1966), Dirk Bogarde, a movie co-star and friend of Vivien’s, and Peter O’ Toole, a friend of Harold’s.

During his time at Hanover Terrace, Pinter used the house as a studio where he wrote scripts for The Birthday Party (1968), The Go-Between (1971), The Homecoming (1973) and No Man’s Land (1974).

In 1975 Pinter became romantically involved with Lady Antonia Fraser, the daughter of the 7th Earl of Longford, and in 1977 Pinter and Fraser moved into her family home in Holland Park. Pinter and Vivien sold Hanover Terrace in 1978 and the couple’s divorce was finalised in 1980 with Pinter marrying Lady Antonia Fraser

famous British playwright, actor and screenwriter Harold Pinter CBE (1930 – 2008), his actress wife Vivien Merchant and their son Daniel. On the 19th May 1968, Harold and Vivien threw a large A-list party in the house and garden in the same year.

Since Reventlow and Pinter’s time in the property, the residence has been completely refurbished and modernised however there are still features that serve as a reminder of the 1950s to 1970s when the

LONDON HOME OF RACING DRIVER LANCE REVENTLOW AND PLAYWRIGHT HAROLD PINTER IN REGENT’S PARK

house hosted celebrities, actors and heiresses.

The grand first floor drawing room spans the entire depth of the house, offering elevated views over the front and rear facades. It is in this impressive entertaining space with its high ornate ceiling, wall paneling and Regency fireplace that Lance Reventlow entertained his stepfather Cary Grant and his uncle Jimmy Donahue (the lover of the Duchess of Windsor). This is also where the Pinters entertained actors, actresses, writers and TV/movie producers.

The principal bedroom suite occupies its own private floor on the second level of the house and features a large bedroom, walk-in dressing room and principal bathroom. It is here that Vivien stored her elegant clothes and Lance his stylish suits and racing gear.

The 10-12 seat dining room on the ground floor is where the Pinters did their famous entertaining and fine dining and the adjoining kitchen is where Lance’s housekeeper, cook and butler would prepare him his breakfast and dinner.