Kingswood Warren in Surrey, south west of London, is a Gothic mansion completed in 1837, which until early 2010 housed the BBC's technical research department.
The history of Kingswood Warren can be traced back to the Domesday Book. The grounds were acquired by Thomas St Leger Alcock in 1835 and over the years the mansion was also the home of Henry Orme Bonsor MP and Joseph Rank, who had founded the milling empire bearing his name.
It later served as a finishing school and insurance company offices before being acquired by the BBC in 1948 to house its research and development activities. The broadcasting industry and its audiences owe a debt to the many research engineers who have worked there over the years.
The staff at Kingswood Warren led the world in pioneering broadcasting and their innovative work was rewarded with three Queen's Awards for Industry.
Read more about the history of BBC engineering in Edward Pawley’s book, BBC Engineering 1922-1972.First published in 1972, BBC Publications ©1972. PDF version with thanks to Nick Cutmore and Philip Laven.
Buildings
Alexandra Palace
The birthplace of television
Broadcasting House
The first purpose-built broadcast centre in the UK
Broadcasting House, Belfast
BBC Northern Ireland's headquarters since 1941
Broadcasting House, Bristol
Former home of the Natural History Unit
