Clifton Hall

Clifton Hall is a country house, now used as university offices, located in Clifton, Nottinghamshire. The building has a complex architectural history spanning from the late 16th century to the 19th century, with major phases of alteration and remodelling undertaken by significant architects of their periods.

The main structure dates from the late 16th century and was altered around 1632, probably by John Smythson. The building underwent internal alterations in the late 17th century and between 1731 and 1762, probably with the assistance of Lord Burlington. It was substantially remodelled around 1779 by John Carr of York, with further alterations made in the 19th century. The building was converted to its present use in 1953.

The exterior is constructed of brick and ashlar with hipped stone slate roofs and various coped stacks, mostly positioned on the side walls. The building is arranged on a C-plan with three storeys and measures 15 bays by 5 bays. The main ranges feature a plinth, first floor band, and pierced balustrade. Windows are predominantly glazing bar sashes with projecting ashlar surrounds, with the second floor windows being smaller than those below.

The building presents symmetrical fronts concealing an irregular interior plan. The south entrance front has a recessed centre with 5 windows, flanked by wings of equal size linked across the centre by a single storey colonnade of paired Tuscan columns. Several false windows are incorporated in the centre to screen the central octagonal hall. Beneath the colonnade sits an off-centre door, with round-arched doors at each end. The wings display similar fenestration with unequal spacing to the left.

The west front, designed by Carr, is faced in ashlar and features a central three-storey bow window with round-arched windows to the ground floor and reglazed first floor windows. Side bays have blank ground floors with single windows above. The north front contains 7 unevenly spaced windows, some of which are false, and a doorway in the fifth bay. To the left is a square projection of two storeys with quoins and parapet containing the main stair. A pedimented doorcase faces west, with a Venetian stair window to the north. An altered porch is present on the north front.

Internally, the building contains significant spaces and decorative schemes from various periods. The central octagonal hall, dating from 1731 to 1762, rises two storeys and features a modillion cornice and panelled domed ceiling with arabesques. Three pedimented doorcases with columns, four niches containing statues, and a marble fireplace ornament the space. Beneath the cornice are four Diocletian windows and four half-round plasterwork panels by Dugdale. The hall is flanked to the left by a first-floor Great Chamber.

The Morning Room to the left of the hall dates from the early 18th century and is fully panelled with a strapwork ceiling and Rococo marble fireplace featuring a portrait medallion supported by cherubs. The Great Chamber, dating from around 1632, contains framed panelling and a polychrome marble chimneypiece, probably by Smythson. A decorated strapwork frieze of 17th century date is present, with a strapwork ceiling probably added in the 19th century.

A panelled ground floor room on the north side, dating from the early 18th century, features four doorcases and an overmantel with broken pediments, a marble fireplace, and a panelled ceiling with moulded cornice. The main stairwell contains a 19th century stone open well stair with wrought-iron balustrade.

The west wing contains a pages' room on the first floor dating from the early 17th century with a rare decorative scheme depicting military drill and a frieze showing the 7 Deadly Sins. A doorcase with columns, vine trail and heraldic crest, dating from the 16th century, has been resited in this area. A panelled bedroom features a foliage plaster frieze and lobed panelled ceiling with monograms, probably executed by Goudge for Sir William Clifton around 1684 to 1686. A stone cantilever stair with winders and crinoline balustrade, dating from around 1779, was possibly designed by Carr. Three panelled rooms at the west end were designed by Carr and feature Adam style friezes, overdoors, and six-panel doors.

The square wings divide the interior, with principal rooms located to the left and service rooms to the right. The building's complex architectural history is not fully understood.