Crichel House

Details

MOOR CRICHEL ST 90 NE

8/63 Crichel House 18.3.55 GV I

Country house, 1743, extensive enlargement c.1770 with further additions and alterations of the C19 and C20. Original house for Sir William Napier, late C18 work for Humphrey Sturt. Some C19 work by Burn and McVicar Anderson (Newman and Pevsner). Some interior decoration probably by James Wyatt. Rendered brickwork with ashlar dressings and slate and lead roofs. On plan the earliest house is nearly encased in later additions. Main entrance is now to the west front. 3 storeys and attics. The south front to the park is symmetrical of 11 bays 3:5:3 with pedimented central piece. 12-pane sashes in moulded ashlar architraves. Rusticated basement storey. Recessed central portico with Ionic columns, pilasters to the third storey above. The outer bays have large Palladian windows to the lower storey. Part of the original house visible behind portico - upper floor to centre window has scrolled cheekpieces and is above a pedimented ground floor doorway. East front is symmetrical of 7 bay 2:3:2 with centre pediment. General detailing similar to the south front; central pedimented Palladian doorway with Palladian window over. West front has C19 single storey portico. To the ground floor right are 2 large Palladian windows. Other windows are 12-pane sashes with moulded architraves. Some parts of the earlier house are exposed. The north facade was largely refaced after a Victorian service wing was demolished (Newman and Pevsner).

Interior features (access to interior not possible, information based on RCHM and Newman and Pevsner): partly in a Kentian style, partly in the neo- classical style of James Wyatt; some of the earlier work may be by the Bastards of Blandford Forum; many Kentian and neo-classical chimney pieces; fine early to mid C18 staircase; dining room and drawing room with imposing neo-classical plasterwork ceilings and decoration; many other high quality Georgian details. (RCHM, Dorset, vol V, p 41-4, no. 2. Newman, J and Pevsner, N. The Buildings of England: Dorset, 1972, p 298-9).

Listing NGR: ST9942908324

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

107400

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Inventory of Dorset, (1975), 41-44
Pevsner, N, Newman, J, The Buildings of England: Dorset, (1972), 298-299

Other
Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England, Part 12 Dorset,

End of official list entry

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