Bretton Hall Including Attached Orangery to West

Details

SE21SE WEST BRETTON PARK ROAD (south side, off)

8/82 14.2.52 Bretton Hall including attached orangery to west. GV II*

Large country house, now college. Circa 1720, 1780s, 1811-14 and c.1852. The south range c.1720 by Sir William Wentworth and Col. James Moyser for Sir William Wentworth himself. The north range 1780s by William Lindley of Doncaster, the linking block and remodelling of the south range (ie the south bow and the east portico) 1811-14 by Jeffry Wyatt for Col. Thomas Richard and Diana Beaumont, the projecting dining room on the east front added c.1852 probably by Thomas Richardson for Thomas Blackett Beaumont. Ashlar, the roof hidden behind parapet. 9-bay by 5-bay main, south range with a 3-bay link block to north which extends westwards and terminates in the orangery, and a 7-bay north range. The main elevations face east. 3-storey main range, the rest 2 storeys. The south range: symmetrical front with central, Greek Doric tetrastyle portico, 12-pane ground and 1st-floor sashes, the former with triangular pediments, the latter with small cornices. Short 2nd floor windows with later casements. Plinth and bands to lower floors. Two ornamental rainwater heads bearing the Wentworth shield. Modillion eaves cornice, and balustraded parapet. Eight tall, broad, symmetrically placed ashlar ornamental stacks. The south front has a 3-bay bow which has taller ground-floor windows the centre one formerly a doorway up 4 steps. The rear is similar to the front but more plain. The link block to the north is in keeping but with taller ground-floor windows and is separated by a recessed single bay. The north range: symmetrical front, the centre 3 bays marked by giant pilasters which support a pediment. Central, 8-panel double door, 12- pane sashes to ground floor 9-pane sashes to 1st floor. Frieze, cornice and blocking course. The tympanum has an enriched shield with the motto "FIDE SED CUI VIDE". The orangery at the rear, on a 2-step podium, is of 7 bays, the centre 3 breaking forward slightly, divided by square Tuscan piers supporting the frieze, moulded cornice and blocking course. Interior of south range: the entrance hall has a groin vaulted passage at the rear separated by 3 arches and the piers and walls have grisaille paintings of figures and trophies. The main staircase to the north of the hall has a fine wrought-iron handrail of 1920. To the west of this is the former billiard room and to east (front) the former breakfast room, both with Adam- style ceilings of c.1770. Interior of link range: excellent entrance vestibule with 4 piers (apparently encased cast-iron) supporting a glazed dome on pendentives. The walls are painted with C18-style Italianate architectural fantasies. The vestibule opens, at upper level, onto the half-landing of the main staircase (south range) whose walls have similar paintings. To the west of the vestibule is the former drawing room or tapestry room, with a heavy baroque ceiling with pendant bosses probably of c.1852. To the far west is the former library and the music room both in Regency style of c.1811-14. The latter has an apse for an organ and a delicate gently coved ceiling with rinceau decoration, panels, pilaster strips and a delicate marble fireplace with a huge mirror. The library is mainly altered. To the east of the vestibule is the former dining room (now conference room) in a heavy Rococo style of c.1852. The end walls are divided into 3 by Composite pilasters with a niche to each side and a central panel. Very elaborate marble fireplace decorated with vines and a central eagle with spread wings. Elaborate frieze with foliage, animals and Classical figures. The ceiling has panels with musical instruments. The buildings became used as Bretton College in 1947. N. Pevsner. The Buildings of England. 1967. D. Linstrum. West Yorkshire Architects and Architecture. 1978. Bretton College Archive. Country Life. May 21st 1938 p.530, May 28th 1938 p.554.

Listing NGR: SE2836612779

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

342578

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Linstrum, D, West Yorkshire Architects and Architecture, (1978)
Pevsner, N, Radcliffe, E, The Buildings of England: Yorkshire: The West Riding, (1967)
Country Life in 21 May, (1938), 530
Country Life in 28 May, (1938), 554

Other
Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England, Part 45 West Yorkshire,

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