Park House (Cheshire Home For The Disabled), Ampthill Park is a Grade II* listed building in the Central Bedfordshire local planning authority area, England. First listed on 17 July 1951. A Early Modern Mansion. 1 related planning application.

Park House (Cheshire Home For The Disabled), Ampthill Park

WRENN ID
dusk-thatch-raven
Grade
II*
Local Planning Authority
Central Bedfordshire
Country
England
Date first listed
17 July 1951
Type
Mansion
Period
Early Modern
Source
Historic England listing

Description

Park House, also known as the Cheshire Home for Disabled, is a large mansion built in 1694 for John, the First Baron Ashburnham, situated within Ampthill Park. The main block, originally constructed from brick, rises three storeys to a modillion cornice, topped with a tiled mansard roof punctuated by square dormers. Eleven windows define the façade, with the central three slightly projecting under a pediment. A broad, splayed perron leads to a classical doorway located centrally on the piano nobile level.

The design incorporates wings that extend from the main block, connecting two rectangular blocks, each with four windows by four windows. These wings are two storeys high and feature later hipped slate roofs, projecting forward of the main block. The early design is attributed to Captain Wynn, the creator of the original Buckingham House. The influence, or possibly direct authorship, of Sir Christopher Wren is evident; a drawing from All Souls strongly resembles Wren's work and is documented in the Wren Society.

Later alterations were made by Chambers, who remodelled the side blocks, adding a three-sided bay to the outer flank of the north-east block. He also stuccoed the main block, fully encasing it in render. The house was home to Lady Holland, a prominent Whig political and literary hostess, from 1818 to 1845.

Detailed Attributes

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