Packington Hall

Packington Hall is a mansion house, with its origins in the late 17th century, but significantly remodelled and recased in 1766 by Matthew Brettingham for the 3rd Earl of Aylesford. Henry Couchman served as clerk of works, completing the external work around 1772. Further interior work was undertaken in 1782 by Joseph Bonomi for the 4th Earl, with ceiling paintings completed around 1800 by J.F. Rigaud. Other contributors included Dominic Bartoli (scagliola work), Joseph Rose and Mr. Cryer (plasterers).

The hall is constructed of grey sandstone ashlar, with a roof plan of four ranges and a central flat section. The central roof was rebuilt around 1980 following a 1979 fire that damaged the attic storey and parts of the lower storeys. Symmetrically disposed ashlar chimney stacks feature entablatures. The main block contains a central hall, flanked by principal rooms, and a gallery at the south-west end, with a service range to the north. The house has two storeys and an attic.

The principal, south-east front has nine bays, with a rusticated ground storey. A slightly projecting three-bay centre displays giant upper pilasters and a pediment. An approach to the doorway consists of a flight of four stone steps, leading to a portal of two Ionic pillars and columns, and raised, fielded panel doors. Windows are 12-pane hung sashes, with raised surrounds, except for the six-pane attic storey windows. The first floor windows have pulvinated friezes and cornices. The end bays project slightly, with balustraded first floor windows. The west front incorporates attached giant unfluted Ionic columns, originally supporting a loggia. Each end bay features windows with raised surrounds and console brackets similar to those on the east front, topped with a blank panel containing a garland.

Internally, Joseph Bonomi designed schemes for the hall, music room, staircase, Pompeian room, dining room, library and a small dining room. The music room originally housed an organ used by Handel, now located in the church. The Pompeian room, initially intended as a sculpture gallery, was remodelled by Bonomi to showcase Etruscan vases collected by the 4th Earl. The main staircase was restored in 1986, while the dome to the secondary staircase was removed after the 1979 fire. Bookcases by Henry Hakewill date to 1828.