Longstowe Hall

LONGSTOWE OLD NORTH ROAD TL 35NW (West side) 2/123 Longstowe Hall

GV II

Mansion house. Late C16 origin remodelled and much rebuilt in late C19 and early C20. The early C20 alterations and additions are by Sir John W Simpson. Red brick and stone dressings. Plain tiled roofs with stacks reproducing those of late C16 or early C17 with octagonal shafts with moulded brickwork and projecting, linked cappings. Original E-plan of late C16 house with principal front to north west, altered in late C19 and again in early C20 when the ranges to the south east were added and a new principal front created on the south east side. North west facade in two storeys and attics. Three centre gables contain or incorporate some brickwork in the lower courses from the earlier house. Late C19 central porch of three storeys with shaped gable and Ketton limestone surrounds to cross frame casements flanked by obelisks. Central fluted Doric portico late C19, spanning the three central window bays. Ketton limestone. Balustraded on high plinths. Round headed rusticated arch to central doorway. The pediments to a number of the remaining windows on the north west front reproduce those of the original house. The north east front has a four stage stair turret with open sided top stage, leaded polygonal roof with weathervane. Lead rainwater heads and down pipes to this part of the house have the initials ADB and the date 1912. A doorway in a four centred arch has a fanlight with a depressed ogee arch with finial. The fenestration is hung sashes with sheet glass. South east front of long narrow red brick, Flemish bond. Two storeys and attics. Two dormers. Four gable facade and central porch of Ketton limestone. Round headed outer arch with egg and dart continuous moulding flanked by Jacobean style pilaster supporting an entablature and balustrade. Panelled double doors in round headed arch. Interior contains some reset main beams of C15 and C16, and the north west-south east roof has C16 principal rafters and purlins morticed flush to them, and cambered collars. A wing adjoining this main range has a roof, C16 with stop chamfered principals with the purlins morticed to them. A number of ground floor rooms contain a large amount of continental wood carvings. The original house is said to have been built by Anthony Cage, d.1603. It was bought in 1857 by the Stanleys who drastically altered it c.1880. From 1897-1914 the house was again much altered and extended by Mr Briscoe with Sir John W Simpson as architect.

Burkes and Savills: Guide to Country Houses RCHM: West Cambs mon (2) Pevsner: Buildings of England p433 VCH: Cambs vol V

Listing NGR: TL3081255688