Blake Hall

Blake Hall is an 18th-century house, extensively remodelled in 1822 by George Basevi, with later 19th-century alterations including wings to the north and south, and a third storey to the central block. In 1944, the Royal Air Force Station Headquarters moved into Blake Hall, resulting in the gutting of the South Wing for use as a flight operations centre.

The house is constructed of stuccoed brick, with hipped grey slate roofs. The main three-storey central block projects forward, flanked by two-storey ranges to the right and left, with an additional two-storey block projecting forward to the far left. A moulded cornice runs along the parapet, with a balustraded parapet and a breaking forward moulded pediment above the central block. The window arrangement is a 3:2:3:2:3 range of small-paned sash windows, except for the ground floor on the right-hand range, which features three round-headed sash windows with plain two-order surrounds and a band at the spring level. A central band runs along the north range, with bands below the first and second floor cills on the main block. The main block has two pilaster strips to the right and left, with the central three bays projecting forward beneath the pediment. A small saluting platform with a mounting block and steps is located to the right of the main range. Four symmetrically placed stuccoed chimney stacks are situated near the main porch, with two matching stacks to the left range.

The central porch has four Doric columns, a frieze with guttae, triglyphs and metopes, and a moulded cornice to a flat canopy. The entrance is via a six-panel door, sheltered by a moulded canopy with brackets. The rear of the main block has semi-circular bays to the right and left, and a three-storey, nine-window range of small-paned sliding sash windows. A central six-panel door with a segmental light over, and pilasters, frieze and flat canopy are also present. Above this, the first-floor window features a moulded frieze and head. A moulded cornice sits above a blocked parapet. The south range projects forward with chamfered corners, echoing the front range. The west range has one bay set back, and three bays projecting forward, with a blocked parapet. The ground floor of this range features loggias on each face.

The interior includes a screen of two columns and pilasters of Tuscan order, moulded coving, architraves, wainscoting, and dado panelling. A fine late 17th-century staircase, originally from Schomberg House, Pall Mall, was added in the early 20th century. Two Neo-Greek bookcases remain against the rear wall, representing the surviving elements of the library after the wartime alterations. Fine mouldings are found to architraves, wainscots, and panelling throughout the house, which has been the home of the Capel-Cure family since 1789. The house stands within parkland, surrounded by a fine garden.