HIGHCLERE CASTLE

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

Overview

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: I
List Entry Number:: 1092528
Date first listed:: 10-Jan-1953
List Entry Name:: HIGHCLERE CASTLE
Statutory Address:: HIGHCLERE CASTLE

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: I
List Entry Number:: 1092528
Date first listed:: 10-Jan-1953
Date of most recent amendment:: 18-May-1984
List Entry Name:: HIGHCLERE CASTLE
Statutory Address 1:: HIGHCLERE CASTLE

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:: HIGHCLERE CASTLE

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

County:: Hampshire
District:: Basingstoke and Deane (District Authority)
Parish:: Highclere
National Grid Reference:: SU 44633 58796

Details

SU 45 NW HIGHCLERE HIGHCLERE PARK 6/5 10.1.53 Highclere Castle (formerly listed as Highclere Castle with remains of Old Church)

I

A plain C18, 3-storeyed mansion arranged round a central top-lit hall, but with the exterior refaced as Elisabethan elevations in the style of Wollaton by Sir Charles Barry in 1839-42; the addition of corner turrets and an off-centre tower causes a resemblance to the Palace of Westminster (the most famous of Barry's designs). On the old brick core, and incorporating the older fenestration pattern, the Bath stone ashlar exterior is presented in 3 symmetrical elevations, of 3 storeys with a fourth storey for the corner turrets and the north and south centrepieces. The north (entrance) front has 1.3.3.3.1 windows. The pierced parapet has strapwork and pinnacles; and each storey is an Order of pilasters applied to the turrets and centrepieces, ascending as Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite, with pilasters coupled on each side of the centre, and a pedestal stage containing panels. The windows have mullions and transoms, with narrow lights between panels in the turrets, the wider spacing of the sides lacking pilasters but with the frames set in raised panels. The central doorway has a shield above the Doric frame. The turrets are set forward a little and rise higher than the central attic stages. This reticulate elevation pattern is repeated on the south front, without the doorway. The east elevation is varied by a recessed centrepiece (and a rythm of I.I niche 1.3.1 niche 1.1 windows) with the niche unit raised as a lesser turret. The tower rises as a tall 2 storeys above the roof line, with a more elaborate treatment of the Orderly design; it appears central to the east elevation but is offset westwards to the north and south elevations. The west wing is attached as a lower Tudor brick mansion, with gables and pepperpot turrets, having stone features; it is masked by landscaping. The main interiors demonstrate elaborate essays in different styles. There is a Gothic (Early English) entrance hall with stone quadripartite vaulting, and coloured marble enrichment (by Butterfield) on clustered columns and floor. The main hall (by Thomas Allom 1862) has a generally Pependicular style, with a rich surface decoration, including C16 tapestries above Cordoba leather panels. The staircase is Gothic, occupying the large space below the tower, and leading to an arcaded corridor surrounding the upper part of the hall. The library has a classical finish, the Music Room has a mixture of C18 decoration (probably reconstituted from other parts of the house), the Drawing Roomis Roccoco of circa 1900.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:: 138111
Legacy System:: LBS

Sources

Other
Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England, Part 19 Hampshire,

Legal

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