South Terrace Wall At Downton Castle

DOWNTON CP SO 47 SW 3/21 South terrace wall at Downton Castle GV II South terrace wall. Late C18 by Richard Payne Knight. Sandstone ashlar. Varies up to about 15 feet high (depending upon ground level) with battered sides to south and embattled parapet with loopholes in merlons and ridge coping. Approximately 200 yards long. It has a central semi-circular buttressed projection together with other irregularly shaped projections at each end, that at the western end incorporating a gateway. It is also interrupted at irregular intervals by square and circular turrets. The south terrace was designed by Payne Knight to extend and enhance the setting of Downton Castle in a landscape that was left in a wild and natural state. He was opposed to the gentle, contrived landscapes of Capability Brown, claiming a greater respect for nature in its raw state. (Country Life, XLii 60, p 36-42; BoE, p l17-8)J

Listing NGR: SO4451074700