News

Some new country houses to visit?

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Dorneywood, Buckinghamshire
Dorneywood, Buckinghamshire

One interesting proposal to come out of the Conservative Conference this week is that the grace-and-favour country houses, currently used by ministers, would be open to view and for use by the public.

At the moment Dorneywood in Buckinghamshire – where John Prescott was famously snapped playing croquet instead of ruining running the country – and Chevening House in Kent, would be available for the first time.

Francis Maude, the shadow cabinet office minister, has indicated that he would like to see them being used for events and by local charities rather than just as retreats for ministers. 

So, anyone who has exhausted their National Trust book in the south east might be able to add two more to their itineraries.

Full story: ‘John Prescott croquet estate Dorneywood will be opened to public by Tories‘ [Daily Telegraph]

Moat Brae House saved!

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Though not strictly a ‘country’ house, it’s worth including a particularly good piece of news that Moat Brae House in Dumfries, which was threatened with illegal demolition by the housing association which owned it, has been saved following its sale to a preservation trust for £1.

The gardens at Moat Brae were an inspiration for ‘Neverland’ for JM Barrie who visited regularly when at school locally.  The house had become neglected but was easily restorable but the housing association had intended to demolish the house without following any of the annoying little things like the proper legal procedure.  If they had followed through with their plan, not only would Dumfries have lost a key piece of local architecture but those in the housing association may well have ended up with criminal convictions.

Work on the house and fund-raising for future restoration begins to secure the long-term future of this fine house.

Full story: ‘Peter Pan mansion secured for £1‘ [BBC]

Lost Country House Reborn

Matthew Beckett - The Country Seat2 Comments
Proposes new house
Proposed new house

The site of a country house demolished in the 1930’s has been proposed as the location for a new country house designed to be “the closest thing to an original stately home that it’s possible to build”.

The design of The Ridge in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire is inspired by the original 19th-century house, built in the 1820s, which was demolished in 1936 after a decline which saw the house ending it’s days a nursing home.

The creation of a new house on this scale is certainly to be welcomed – especially in any location where the essential components of the lost house still remain.  However, it’s important that the new house is not simply a modern patische of the original.  This clever approach, by Yiangou, a Gloucestershire-based architectural practice, not only follows the long tradition of re-building country houses but also makes it more likely to get through the modern planning process.

Full story: ‘Brand new ‘stately home’ planned for the Cotswolds‘ [The Telegraph]

‘Spectacular new £10m mansion in the Cotswolds‘ [Country Life]

Thieves take Tompion clock from Levens Hall

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Police believe at least two people were involved in burglary at Levens Hall in Cumbria during which a rare Thomas Tompion clock was stolen.  The cretins even managed to damage it so if you’re offered a particularly fine clock missing one of it’s feet then you may want to let the police know.

Full story: ‘Thieves steal clock from stately home worth £200,000‘

Kensington Palace: HRH’s scheme criticised

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Prince Charles’ scheme to improve the setting of Kensington Palace has suffered a setback after his plans were described as looking ‘twee’ and like something that would appear in a “garden furniture catalogue”.

Originally a royal country retreat from the smells and noise of the Palace of Westminster, Kensington Palace is now part of central London and is somewhat blighted by the large hotel sited to the right as you approach from the busy Kensington High Street.

There is certainly room for improvement but perhaps a more interesting scheme could find favour by looking at enhancing the grand approaches rather than adding smaller details – certainly not enough long, tree-lined avenues are being planted these days.

Full story: ‘Prince Charles’ architecture charity backs ‘twee’ revamp of Kensington Palace’ [Daily Telegraph]