The Boathouse

The Boathouse, located within Kedleston Park in the parish of Kedleston, was constructed around 1770 and is attributed to the renowned architect Robert Adam. It is a substantial boathouse with a fishing room situated above. The building is constructed of ashlar and features Welsh slate roofs with stone-coped gables and stone ridge stacks.

The north elevation, which faces the lake, exhibits a rusticated basement with three semi-circular arches. The two outer arches open into boathouses, while the central one contains a window with glazing bars. Recessed sections link these arches, each containing a window and a decorative panel featuring swags. A fluted and medallion frieze and cornice runs continuously across the front, and shallow pediments adorn the boathouses. The central section is tall and features a Venetian window set within a blind round arch, a balustrade runs along the window sill. Above the arch is an open pediment with sections of parapet rising above the outer angles of the pediment.

The south elevation is characterized by boathouses largely sunk below ground level. The central three-bay section includes a niched central bay with a doorway featuring a moulded architrave and a panelled door; decorative carving occupies the half dome above. The doorway is framed by Tuscan Doric pilasters and a moulded arch, with glazing bar sashes on either side. A fluted frieze and dentil and moulded cornice links these elements. Two carved roundels depicting sea horses are located above the doorway. A pediment encloses a roundel displaying a crest and swags.

The interior includes a plain vestibule with stone staircases descending to the left and right, and a central door leading to the fishing room. This room showcases a fireplace in the characteristic Adam style. The walls are decorated with sunken painted panels of fish within plaster surrounds, as well as apsed niches. Further decorative features include a Vitruvian scroll dado rail and a shell frieze with inverted garlands.

The basement floor comprises three chambers connected by short passages. The two outer chambers serve as wet boathouses, while the central chamber is a closed room containing a semi-circular pool. Water flows along a channel across the floor and cascades through a small opening into the lake. A small 18th-century water closet is situated at the rear.