Camellia House, Nottingham

Tucked within the formal gardens of Wollaton Park, the Camellia House is a striking blend of elegance and industrial innovation. Built in 1823, it holds the title of Europe’s oldest surviving cast-iron framed greenhouse and is believed to be the oldest cast-iron building in the U.K. Its distinctive glazed walls and roof, separated by Doric columns, encloses a serene interior divided by stone paths and classical supports-offering a peaceful, light-filled space once designed to nurture the exotic camellia plants prized by Victorian horticulturists.

Located beside Wollaton Hall, one of Nottingham’s most iconic historic landmarks, the Camellia House adds a unique layer to the estate’s charm. Wollaton Park itself spans over 500 acres of landscaped deer park, where red and fallow deer roam freely-a pastoral backdrop to this graceful 19th-century structure.

Time took its toll on the Camellia House, and by the early 2000s, it had deteriorated so severely that it was placed on the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register. A meticulous restoration project followed, involving full disassembly, repair, and in some cases, re-casting of the iron elements. A modern ETFE membrane over-roof-virtually invisible-was added to correct the original design’s weak roof glazing and to protect the fragile camellias from the British weather.

Today, the Camellia House isn’t just a botanical treasure-it’s a popular wedding venue, especially suited to small ceremonies and elegant drinks receptions. With blooms unfurling between autumn and spring, it remains one of Nottingham’s most atmospheric and historically significant hidden gems.