Shuckburgh Hall

Shuckburgh Hall is a country house with origins in the 14th and 15th centuries, incorporating 15th and 16th century work, substantially altered in the 18th century and again in 1844 by H.E. Kendall for the Shuckburgh family. The building is constructed of timber-framing with close studding and lath and plaster infill in places, combined with brick and some limestone ashlar, rendered overall. The front range is of imitation ashlar rendered brick with stone dressings. Roofs are of tile, with the front range and additions having slate hipped roofs with parapets; rendered stacks carry moulded cornices and some round shafts.

The complex F-plan building with rear wings displays Italianate or Free Renaissance styling. The front elevation is arranged in a 1-1-3-1-1-3 bay pattern. The entire front range features rusticated quoins, a moulded console bracket cornice, and an openwork-panelled parapet. The recessed centre contains a loggia of two pairs of Ionic columns with entablature and cornice, plain angle piers and pilasters inside. Between each pair of columns stands a large statue of a dog bearing the Shuckburgh family crest on a pedestal, with an attached boot scraper; large gadrooned urns flank the composition to left and right.

The central entrance comprises half-glazed double-leaf doors with an overlight, all with moulded stone eared architrave, outer panels and consoles. Throughout the front range are plate glass sashes. The first floor displays a central Venetian window with French casement, consoles and moulded entablature, crowned by a shell-moulded tympanum with keystone. Most windows have moulded architraves with cornices and consoles in varying patterns. Projecting bays feature tripartite sashes with Ionic pilasters and moulded entablature having a convex central section with large central console. First floor windows display architraves with volutes and segmental pediments, with large keystones abutting the windows above. The one-bay inner sides mirror the centre composition.

A two-storey range set back on the left has a central half-glazed four-panelled door in simple moulded architrave, with narrow plate glass sashes to either side. An entablature with bracket cornice and balustrade of three openwork panels tops this section. The bow-fronted right range has tripartite sashes to ground and first floor with mullions curving out at the base, and a low tower above and behind. The first floor features a moulded sill with three moulded panels and elaborate consoles below. A further three-bay range has ground floor windows with plain surrounds curving out at the base, with consoles and cornice; first floor windows match the central range. A lower second floor throughout features six-pane sashes in curved eared and shouldered architraves.

A long irregular wing to the rear has a taller section on the left with a small gable. One section of limestone retains 18th century sashes with moulded frames and lintels with triple keystones, and a timber-framed gable. A one-bay projection has a 19th century three-light mullioned and transomed window and close studded gable. Three external stacks serve the building. The rear of the main range features a mid-19th century porch turret in the right corner, with moulded Gothic arch to front and side and Gothic door. The first floor has a three-light casement; the top stage has a recessed panel with inset round arch and small sash, topped by a modillion cornice. A pyramid roof carries a painted wood bell turret with ogee roof and finial. The rear elevation shows irregular fenestration, mostly of 19th century date, comprising casements and mullioned windows. To the left is a large hollow-chamfered mullioned window of five 16th century Tudor arch lights, although the section above is of 19th century terracotta mullioned work. A large mid-19th century kitchen wing on the right has two cross-windows and a sash with margin bars on the first floor.

Interior: The entrance hall contains a ribbed plaster ceiling with strapwork border and a carved oak fireplace with overmantel and doorcases displaying elaborate arabesque and strapwork carving and openwork cresting. The fireplace incorporates an inset miniature of Charles I. Doorcases feature elaborate consoles, cornices and cresting, with moulded fielded four-panelled doors. A screen of two pairs of Ionic columns, dating to circa 1900, stands to the left.

The drawing room to the left has a panelled ceiling with moulded wood ribs and plasterwork featuring shallow pendants. The dining room to the right displays a plaster ceiling with bosses and a large central pendant incorporating the family crest in the cornice. A red streaked marble fireplace with bulging pilasters is fitted with a fine brass round-arched grate with arabesque spandrels. A still life painting is set within a shaped oak leaf garland plaster frame. Fine mahogany moulded six-panelled doors are present throughout.

A late 17th century ante room features bolection panelling with inset tapestries, said to be of Mortlake manufacture. The plasterwork ceiling displays very high relief with a central oval wreath and classical painting; spandrels carry branch ornament. A top-lit open well staircase has twisted balusters and a window with Jacobethan style heraldic stained glass. The rear range retains broad-chamfered ceiling beams. Several rooms are finely detailed in the Jacobethan manner. The Shuckburgh family have occupied Shuckburgh for approximately 1000 years.