Original sepia print of a group of people playing croquet in the garden at Kingsgate House, Kingsgate Street, Winchester, c. 1870

Photograph of a croquet party at Kingsgate House, Kingsgate Street, Winchester

Taken about 1870

The smartly dressed and rather rigidly posed group is engaged in croquet at the substantial Kingsgate House in Kingsgate Street, Winchester, home of the Reverend Harry Lee. Croquet was a very popular pastime in the Victorian era; the All England Croquet Club was established in 1868 and championship matches were held at Wimbledon.

The photograph was taken by Winchester photographer William Savage (1817-87) and is found in an album entitled 'Hampshire Views of Churches, Country Houses and Public Buildings'.