BIDDESDEN HOUSE

BIDDESDEN HOUSE, BIDDESDEN LANE

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: I
List Entry Number:: 1035997
Date first listed:: 04-Jun-1952
List Entry Name:: BIDDESDEN HOUSE
Statutory Address:: BIDDESDEN HOUSE, BIDDESDEN LANE

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: I
List Entry Number:: 1035997
Date first listed:: 04-Jun-1952
List Entry Name:: BIDDESDEN HOUSE
Statutory Address 1:: BIDDESDEN HOUSE, BIDDESDEN LANE

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: BIDDESDEN HOUSE, BIDDESDEN LANE

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Ludgershall
National Grid Reference:: SU 29529 51007

Details

LUDGERSHALL BIDDESDEN LANE SU 25 SE (north side) 9/227 Biddesden House 4.6.52 I

House in parkland. 1710-1711 for General John Richmond Webb (?1667-1724), the architect unknown. Flemish bond brickwork with stone dressings. Tiled roofs. Two storey, cellars and attics. Main rectangular block with enclosed courtyard to rear, and rear walled garden. C18 terraces to west of house. Main block has 2- storey entrance hall centrally placed with large drawing room to left and dining room to right. Stair off to rear of hall, and domestic quarters to rear on right. South front of 7 bays, the 3 central bays set forward between pilasters, and attic floor above cornice carrying a half-round pediment, flanked by sculptured trophies. Standing coat of arms at centre. Central 10-panelled door with fanlight in rusticated frame. Flat stone canopy on consoles. To either side, 24-paned sashes with round heads, gauged brick arches with stone key and springer blocks. First floor of central block has 3 keyed oculi opening to hall, the top key corniced. Sun Insurance fire mark. Bays 1, 2, 6 and 7 have 12- paned sashes with similar round arches to both floors below cornice, the cornice with an acanthus enriched frieze over centre. Attic floor has 8-paned sashes in segmental headed openings, with keyblocks. Parapet. Return elevation on right is of 7 bays, altered to match, and terminating with a round brick corner tower of 4 stages, with crenellated parapet, circular openings, and windvane, containing a bell brought from the siege of Lille. Left elevation, symmetrical of 7 bays, central half glazed door in pedimented doorcase, and 12-paned sashes with round heads to both main floors. Window paintings, one window on left elevation by Dora Carrington, 1931 of cook, cat and canary. Similar paintings of fashionable C18 persons on the two windows of right elevation by Roland Pym 1935, restored 1950's. Library on left elevation built over rear domestic quarters c1930, in completely matching style. Interior: Entrance saloon has black and white stone floor. Pedimented and architraved doors to dining and drawing rooms and fireplace. Drawing room, extended to north in C20, fully panelled, with fireplace with marble slips, all probably mid C18. Dining room also panelled, as are many first floor rooms. Stair early C18, oak, with shaped and carved handrail and 3 twisted balusters to each step. Carved brackets under, and dado bolection panelling. General Webb was a senior officer under Marlborough, fought at Blenheim, 1703, Ramilles 1706, Oudenaarde 1708, Malplacquet 1709 and Wynendaele. The house built on his retirement, and his large equestrian portrait of 1712 by J. Wootton hangs centrally in hall. (Pevsner: Buildings of England: Wiltshire; Country Life)

Listing NGR: SU2952951007

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:: 312435
Legacy System:: LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Pevsner, N, The Buildings of England: Wiltshire, (1963)
'Country Life' in Country Life, ()

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.