Fort Henry Pleasure House And Flanking Retaining Walls And Parapet

SK 91 SW HORN EXTON PARK 4/128 Fort Henry: Pleasure house 10.12.81 and flanking retaining walls GV and parapet II*

Small lakeside pleasure house or folly, probably late C18. Ashlar, single storey to west, but with lower basement on lake front, entered only from the outside. Central block of 3 bays with flanking pavilions. Main block has central double doors in delicate ogival architrave with acanthus finial, and flanking sash windows with deep reveals and gothick glazing bars linked by a continuous string course. Moulded eaves cornice, crenellated parapet with ogee headed merlons and pierced ogival finials on angles. Flanking pavillions are of less height, and gabled with cornice and crenellated parapet with pierced finials. Ogee headed windows with plume-like acanthus finial. Side doors with arched heads and traceried spandrels. last elevation has 2 bays of sash windows identical to those of front elevation, with 2 centred arched windows in pavilions with flanking colonettes, moulded voussoirs and hoodmoulds. Basement with 4 centred arched doors and 2 pairs of 2 centred arched windows. Interior has been fire-damaged, but remains exquisitely decorated with delicately wrought ornate painted wood and plaster panelling.

Flanking retaining walls to terrace have crenellated parapets and polygonal buttresses which terminate in acanthus finials. This walling returns through 90° and then in quadrant plan, to altar-like curtails. These are ornamented with drapery swags surmounted by 4 consols and large acanthus finials.

Listing NGR: SK9486012166