Spade House

Spade House, (now Wells House), is a large mansion overlooking Sandgate, near Folkestone, in southeast England. It was the home of the science fiction writer H. G. Wells from 1901 to 1909. Designed by C. F. A. Voysey, it is a Grade II* listed building.

Spade House
Type	Country house
Location	Sandgate, Kent
Coordinates	51.0747°N 1.1525°E / 51.0747; 1.1525
Built	1899-1903
Architect	C. F. A. Voysey
Architectural style(s)	Arts & Crafts
Governing body	Privately owned
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official name	Spade House
Designated	11 March 1975
Reference no.	1061164
Location of Spade House in Kent

History

The house was designed by C. F. A. Voysey, and extended in 1903.^[1] Voysey included a signature heart shape on the door of every home he designed, but Wells rejected this in favour of a spade.^[2] H.G. and Catherine Wells' two sons were born here, and while living at Spade House Wells wrote books including Kipps, Tono-Bungay and Ann Veronica.^[3]

The house has been Grade II* listed on the National Heritage List for England since March 1975.^[4] It is now occupied by the "Wells House" nursing home.^[3] At the entrance is an ornate nameplate and a blue plaque from the Sandgate Society, commemorating the link to Wells.^[5]

Gallery

• 
  Vosey design
• 
  Wells at Spade House, 1907
• 
  Blue plaque commemorating Wells