Archer Pavilion

Archer Pavilion

A garden or banqueting house built between 1709 and 1711 to the designs of Thomas Archer for Henry de Grey, Duke of Kent. The pavilion is situated at the south end of the Long Water on an axis with the house.

The building is constructed of red and yellow brick with stone dressings and lead covering to the dome and gables. Its plan is formed of a central circular block from which project three rectangular wings alternating with three semicircular wings.

The pavilion is a miniature masterpiece in the English Baroque style. The central domed circular block and the three rectangular pedimented wings are two-storeys, while the three semicircular wings are single-storey. The main block and rectangular wings have a modillion cornice to the eaves and pediment, with the rectangular wings displaying red brick channelled pilaster quoins. The semicircular wings are articulated by red brick flat pilaster strips and have plain parapets. At the junction of the curved projections with the central block are tiny semi-domes. The entire building stands upon a basement of horizontally channelled red brick, which features double-leaf panelled doors to the north-east semicircular wing and blind windows with gauged brick flat heads and stone keystones to the other wings.

The north rectangular wing forms the porch of the main entrance and is approached by a flight of stone steps with cheek-walls and square plinths. Ionic stone pilasters flank an elliptical arch opening which has a keystone bearing a coronet and the Grey family device of the staff that breaks into the entablature. The pediment has a tympanum embellished with carved shell decoration and is surmounted by three urns. The double-leaf panelled door leading into the Great Room has a moulded round arch surround of unusual Baroque design with angled sides and a pointed entablature supported by richly carved consoles. The porch is embellished with trompe l'oeil in the form of rusticated stone and niches containing Roman figure sculptures, and has fine stone paving laid in the pattern carreaux d'octagones. The other wings are lit by nine-over-nine pane sash windows in red brick surrounds with gauged brick flat heads, enlarged stone keystones, and red brick aprons. The upper storey of the south-west and south-east pedimented wings is lit by oeil-de-boeuf windows, as is the central block above the semicircular wings. The dome is surmounted by an Ionic circular lantern with wrought-iron balustrading and a ball finial to the cupola.

The interior comprises the Great Room, a large circular space open to the roof, off which are three semicircular niches alternating with two rectangular closets, all with round arch openings. Spiral stairs lead to two plain closets above, formerly used as servants' bedrooms, and down to a double privy in the basement and the brick-lined kitchen which retains a fireplace opening and niches for storage. The Great Room is lavishly decorated in trompe l'oeil consisting of a coffered dome and fluted Corinthian columns supporting an entablature with a modillion cornice, upon which rest urns in niches flanked by either statues or hermes. Devices of the Grey family flanked by cherubs appear above the openings to the closets and niches, which have decorative cornices, panelled dados and window seats complete with shutters. The south-east closet retains a small fireplace with a raised grate in a grey marble surround with an incorporated mirror above.