The listed Victorian mansion Wilmont House in Lady Dixon Park has been out of use for a decade. Now, Belfast Council is considering plans to restore the derelict building at the centre of the park.
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park in south Belfast attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Home to the City of Belfast International Rose Garden, a children’s playground, a Japanese-style garden, and copious amounts of green space to explore, it’s a gem on the outskirts of the city.
One other notable attraction within the park is Wilmont House. The listed building, however, has sat unused in the park for more than a decade. Now, Belfast Council plans to commission a report to look at restoring Wilmont House.
Wilmont House – a piece of history on the outskirts of Belfast
Originally formed in the mid-18th century, Lady Dixon Park was first owned by the Stewarts, a farming family from Scotland.
The estate was originally used for bleaching linen and growing crops. When the estate was sold to the Bristow family, the family home, Wilmont House, was built and completed in 1859.
After taking the attention of multiple owners, the house was eventually taken over by the Dixons in 1919.
During the Second World War, Wilmont House housed American troops stationed on the grounds of the estate.
Before her death in 1964, Lady Dixon donated the estate to the city of Belfast in memory of her late husband, Sir Thomas.
The house was then used as an old people’s home until 1992, before it closed down. Until 2013, the house was used for the occasional wedding reception or council event, but ever since, it has sat unused.
With a storied history behind it, Belfast City Council have opened an independent evaluation to look into options on ways to restore this stately building.
Plans for restoration – a motion to restore Wilmont House
The motion by Councillor Micky Murray states, “This council, having due regard to the value of our heritage assets across the city, agrees to commission an independent evaluation of the options to restore Wilmont House back into use.
“Such an evaluation should include potential business uses and associated costs for renovation and explore the viability of community or wider civic use”.
This motion will be ratified at the full council meeting next week. During an unrestricted sitting, councillors were heard agreeing that they would discuss Wilmont House and other “at risk” buildings.
The future of Wilmont House – hope for restoration
Since being abandoned for the last ten years, Wilmont House has been the target of theft and destruction over the years, with thieves stealing original features from the stately home.
The people of Belfast have been disappointed for years to watch Wilmont House deteriorate with every visit to Lady Dixon Park.
We hope that these restoration plans come to fruition to see one of Belfast’s most historic buildings restored to its former glory once more.
