Gorhambury

TL 10 NW ST MICHAEL BLUEHOUSE HILL (off) (north west side)

9/255 Gorhambury 19.10.53

GV II*

Country house. Begun 1777-84 for the third Viscount Grimston by Sir Robert Taylor. Refaced in Portland stone 1957-67. Originally the house had low wings connecting the main building with side blocks. The low N wing was replaced by a stuccoed 3- storeyed block in 1816-17, the outer N block by a more substantial one in 1826 (W Atkinson). In the same year the S wing and block were demolished . Main block is 2 storeys over basement. Deep hexastyle Corinthian portico with paired outer columns, the rear wall pilastered. 3 sash windows each side with moulded frames, those of ground floor with cornices. Rusticated basement and podium. Long flight of steps to portico. Central double door with shell motif in arch tympanum. Rear elevation with three-quarter column hexastyle portico. N wing is 3 windows with similar detail. N block is 1:3:1 sash windows, the centre 3 projecting.

Interior: Large cube central hall modelled on Queen's House with high bracketed balcony. S wall with stained glass windows and good marble fireplace taken from Old Gorhambury. Yellow drawing room in SW has a richly carved fireplace by Piranesi: white marble with figured red marble panels and medallions. Another Piranesi fireplace in library. Good oval staircase hall on N side with cantilevered spiral stairs and glazed dome. Important collection of family portraits. (C.L. 25.11.33, Pevsner (1977)).

Listing NGR: TL1137407850