Wilmont House

Location and history

Wilmont House is a Grade B+ Listed property in the grounds of Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park in south Belfast.

History

Wilmont House was built in 1859 in a demesne which was established in 1740. 

The building, which is on the Heritage at Risk NI (HARNI) Register, was designed by architect Thomas Jackson as a family home for James Bristow, a director of the Northern Banking Company.

The estate, which also included a walled garden, informal planting areas and gate lodges, has several owners before it was taken over by the Dixons in 1919.

During World War II, American troops were stationed in the grounds of the estate while their officers lived in Wilmont House. 

Before she died in 1959, Lady Dixon donated the estate to the city of Belfast in memory of her late husband, a former High Sheriff of Belfast. It opened as a public park named Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park in the same year.

The house operated as a nursing home from 1963 to 1992 and was most recently used as temporary offices for council staff before it closed. 

Current status

We have worked closed with the Department for Communities’ Historic Environment Division in recent years to monitor the condition of the building. We have also carried out repairs periodically, including works to the roof and guttering, to stop the building falling into further disrepair.

Work is underway to consider options for a sustainable future use for the building which will also involve restoring it back to its original condition.

In 2025 the Golden Thread Gallery secured funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop a feasibility study to consider the viability of using the property as a community and arts space. This work is underway, with an initial public consultation exercise with park users and community groups carried out in summer 2025.

In parallel to the feasibility study, we carried out a range of initial structural and condition surveys in 2025 to establish the extent of deterioration of the building. Extensive temporary works are due to take place, including removal of asbestos to reduce health risks and enable future refurbishment. 

The findings from both pieces of work, once completed, will be considered by councillors and they will decide how best to fund any potential works needed in the long term, including exploring all possible funding options.