victorian

Drop added to ocean – grant to Hafodunos Hall

Matthew Beckett - The Country Seat2 Comments
Hafodunos Hall, Denbighshire (Image: SnakeCorp on flickr)

When idiot arsonists set light to grade-I listed Hafodunos Hall in 2004 they largely destroyed one of not only North Wales’ best country houses but also one of Sir George Gilbert Scott’s finest works.  Built in 1861-6 at a cost of £30,000 for Henry R. Sandbach, son of Samuel Sandbach, a Liverpool merchant and shipowner who had bought the original, 17th-century house in 1831.  Hafodunos was also designed with Sandbach’s collection of sculpture including works by John Gibson (1790-1866) which were incorporated into the walls and left exposed after the fire (but now removed for safe-keeping).

So a glorious house by one of the greatest Victorian architects which featured some of his trademark interiors including decorated doors, ribbed ceilings and fine chimneypieces was reduced to a burnt out shell and has remained as such despite attempts to sell the house and begin restoration.  As the house continues to deteriorate efforts have been made to limit the damage through grants.  The latest from Cadw (the Welsh version of English Heritage) is for £21,000 to pay for emergency work to stabilise the structure – which if you look at this gallery on flickr you’ll see is a drop in the ocean compared to total required for full restoration.  However, any work is positive so hopefully this will help preserve what remains until a more secure future for the house can be found.

Full story: ‘Heritage cash boost for Denbighshire landmarks‘ [Denbighshire Visitor]

Country house content sales continue

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Following on from the recent auction of contents from Powerham Castle in Devon to pay for much needed repairs and maintenance, Lord Gerald Fitzalan Howard, second son of the Duke of Norfolk, is doing the same. Lord Gerald’s home, the Grade-I listed Carlton Towers in Yorkshire, requires approximately £1m spent on essential repairs.  Carlton Towers is a fine example of type of large Victorian Gothic houses which were particularly popular in the North.

With the help of the family archivist and architectural writer John Martin Robinson the family have selected 120 lots including furniture, ceramics, silver – including a set of four silver wine coolers by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, dated 1809 and 1811, and Old Master paintings – including two views of Venice by Canelletto.

The sale is on 4 November at Sothebys, New Bond Street, London.

Catalogue: ‘Carlton Towers‘ [Sothebys]

Welsh mansion under threat from crass developer

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As if Wales hasn’t lost enough country houses already, another is currently under threat of demolition.

Plas Dulas, in Llanddulas, Conwy is currently in a poor state but restorable if swift action was taken.  Built in the 1840s, and visited by Evelyn Waugh, it is remarkable in that the whole estate is complete including gardens, gatehouse, walled garden, and stables.

A local couple, James and Caroline Burt, who have successfully restored another local house into a hotel, made an initial offer of £250k to the owner, who bought the house and estate for £190k in 2002.  According to Mrs Burt, the owner, Alex Davies, replied ‘If you’re not willing to talk around £1m then I’m just going to leave if for another eight years and let it fall down’.  A thoroughly crass and ignorant approach, I’m sure you’ll agree.  Mr Davies is determined to press ahead with his plan, which has been submitted to the council for approval, to demolish the house and destroy the estate with 29 houses.

He has claimed that it would cost £1.5m to restore the house but it’s highly unlikely that it would cost this and is more likely a randomly high figure plucked from the air to justify his vandalism.

The Victorian Society and the renowned local campaigner Mark Baker have both objected but unfortunately CADW is unable to get involved due to its unduly narrow focus as to what is worth saving.

So, hope appears to rest with the local council, national and local pressure, and a miracle conversion for Mr Davies from vandal to someone who appreciates his local heritage.

Full story:

‘Campaign to save Llanddulas landmark famous author visited‘ [North Wales Weekly News]

 ‘Couple go to Waugh over future of historic mansion‘ [WalesOnline]

Drug farm in rented country house

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Showing that there are always new threats to country houses, the police recently raided a cannabis factory which had been created in Cheshire.

Field House in Hoole had been rented but no sooner had the tenants moved in than they blacked out the upper windows, installed a hosepipe-based irrigation system from the kitchen sink, and planted a huge cannabis plantation on the upper floors.  As has been seen with suburban houses which have been similarly converted, the owners will now face a massive bill to restore the damage from water saturation, ruined floors, destroyed ceilings, holes in walls to accomodate wires and pipes etc.

Full story: ‘Huge cannabis factory uncovered at £2.4m mansion rented by criminal gang‘ [Daily Mail]

So why this blog?

Matthew Beckett - The Country Seat

My great love is country houses, particularly those which grace the counties of England.  Each is a fascinating example of the hopes, aspirations, aesthetics and wealth of someone.  One of the best aspects of what has been called the UK’s most significant contribution to architecture, is that each is different – whether the grand Palladian palaces sitting in parkland, to the mid-size expressions of Victorian industrialists to the smaller manor houses which nestle in countless small villages.  However, it must be recognised that many have been demolished or otherwise lost and many exist now only to be abused by unsympathetic owners or to be used as schools, hospitals and offices.

The aim of this blog is to highlight interesting stories relating to country houses in the UK with the occasional comment from me.  I hope to bring greater awareness of the vast heritage we have within the UK and hopefully to build a greater appreciation and respect for it.