There was a nearby cement works and a supply of gravel on the site, so he chose to build the house in concrete.

[2] Wallace earned the money to pay for the Dell from the natural history collections he made while in south-east Asia.

It shows a grand entrance porch to a house with three levels and a fourth-level attic room.

Over the next four years he wrote and published a number of articles and scientific papers, particularly the two volumes of The Geographical Distribution of Animals.

[7] He also took an interest in topics such as social reform and spiritualism, which latter, particularly, was to lead him into difficulties with the mainstream of the scientific establishment.

At that time the "unusually attractive" grounds included a fountain and a croquet lawn as well as winding walks and terrace.

[8] The Dell survives as number 25 College Avenue and is now a Grade II listed building with the date of construction prominently displayed.