Kimbolton School

Kimbolton School

This is a large country house substantially remodelled between 1707 and 1710 by Sir John Vanbrugh, who was assisted by Nicholas Hawksmoor, with William Coleman of Kimbolton as Clerk of Works. The house stands on the site of a 12th-century moated building, and Vanbrugh's work transformed an earlier 16th and 17th-century structure. The building retains its original plan of four ranges arranged around a courtyard.

The external walls are faced in ashlar of Weldon and Ketton stone with slate roofs and leaded details, featuring chimney stacks also in ashlar. The elevations are symmetrically designed with embattled parapets, main cornices and rusticated angle pilasters. A lower ground floor forms a plinth or podium with a moulded upper edge at principal floor sill height. Corner towers project from the north and west elevations. Windows throughout are hung sashes with glazing bars in segmental heads and raised moulded architraves.

The west front presents two storeys above a lower ground floor, with three storeys rising to the corner towers. The main range spans twelve window bays with two slightly projecting centre bays and two bays to each tower. A late 17th-century central carriageway entry features a semi-circular headed arch with a keyblock carved with the Montagu crest, flanked by panelled double doors. Two fine late 17th-century lead rainwater heads and downpipes grace the main range.

The south front displays two storeys and a lower ground floor across nine bays, including three slightly projecting centre bays. The central entry is approached by a double staircase enclosed by a wrought iron balustrade incorporating a monogram in the centre between piers on rusticated bases. Below the staircase a semi-circular headed arch in a rusticated surround gives access to the lower ground floor. The doorcase features engaged Doric columns with an entablature and half-glazed double doors. Two fine late 17th-century rainwater heads, downpipes and straps embellish this elevation.

The east front is dominated by a projecting portico approached by a flight of stone steps segmental in plan, flanked by curving balustrades with moulded rails. A Roman Doric portico of three bays is divided by giant columns and flanked by two pilastered bays containing round-headed niches arranged in two tiers. The interior of the portico features a central tall round-headed recess with a similar arch to the doorway serving the principal floor. The portico and steps have been attributed to Alessandro Galilei (1691–1737). The front rises two storeys above a lower ground floor.

The north front originally displayed three storeys with projecting corner towers; a fourth floor was later added to the main range. The main range contains five bays and each tower two bays. A five-bay loggia at ground floor has end bays blocked. Moulded elliptical arches are carried on rusticated piers.

The courtyard, dating to the late 17th century and attributed to Henry Bell (1653–1717), is constructed of fine gauged and rubbed red brick, now repaired, with stone dressings. A modillion eaves cornice displays an enriched soffit. Ranges of hung sashes with glazing bars sit within moulded stone architraves with square heads. Keyblocks are carved with heraldic devices of the Montagu family and flanked by acanthus scroll ornament. The east wall is divided into five bays by Corinthian pilasters with an entry in the centre approached by a stone staircase flanked by fine original wrought iron balustrade. The doorcase comprises engaged Ionic columns with an entablature and segmental pediment bearing the Montagu crest to the tympanum, surmounted by the full achievement of the Montagu coat of arms. Eight fine late 17th-century rainwater heads, downpipes and straps are distributed around the courtyard.

Interior

The plan and decoration of the suites of rooms on the principal and first floors remain substantially intact from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Of particular importance is the panelling in the chapel, main staircase, saloon and Great or White Hall. The wall paintings in the Queen's Room or boudoir and on the main staircase are fine examples of work by Pellegrini, who also executed paintings in the chapel and Great or White Hall. Over-door paintings in the east range, dated 1736–38, are by William Jones. Several original fireplace surrounds survive, with that in the saloon being particularly outstanding. The north range at first floor contains a late 18th-century T-plan library, whilst the south range at first floor retains three early 17th-century two-light casements with ovolo mullions and leaded lights. In the south range at lower ground floor, part of an early 16th-century rubblestone wall with original window and door openings remains visible.

Historical Context

The castle was acquired by Sir John Wingfield around 1525. Queen Katherine of Aragon resided here from 1534 until her death in 1536. Around 1615 it was purchased by Sir Henry Montagu, who became the first Earl of Manchester, and remained a family seat of the Earls and Dukes of Manchester until 1950, when it was sold to Kimbolton School.