Conservatory And Linking Bridge At North West Corner Of Wentworth Castle

The conservatory and linking bridge at the north-west corner of Wentworth Castle were built in the 1840s, likely by Crompton and Fawkes of Chelmsford for F. W. T. Vernon-Wentworth. The structure features an ashlar sandstone plinth and north wall, while the rest is made of cast iron with glazing. It is a single-storey building measuring 10 by 3 bays, with a canted-bay projection on the south side and a lean-to porch on the east side that connects to the castle via the bridge. The bays are separated by miniature Doric columns adorned with scrolls and rosettes within curved spandrel panels, with simply-glazed panels in between that include central-pivoted opening lights. The south projection has a double door beneath a consoled wood cornice, and a similar doorway is found on the left return. The structure features a decorated gutter, a hipped three-span roof with end finials, and a full-length lantern at the central ridge. The right return includes external stone steps leading to the porch, which has a manufacturer's plaque to the right of the door.

The linking bridge has wooden dado panels, decorative spandrels, and ridge cresting. Inside, there is a perimeter bench made of stone slabs on miniature columns, linked by a pierced grill. The longitudinal arcades consist of five bays that mirror the exterior detailing, with a canopy over the central southern bay. A lead blackamoor sundial, possibly by John van Nost, is located in the south-west bed and was moved from its original outdoor site.