Northwood House

Northwood House, West Cowes

Built early in the 19th century for G H Ward and originally called Bellevue, this house was extensively enlarged from 1837 onwards by George J J Mair. It is a cemented house in Classical style with an appearance earlier than its construction date suggests. The building follows a cruciform plan with north and south wings positioned not quite opposite each other.

The main wing is the east wing. Cemented throughout with rusticated ground floor, it rises to two storeys with nine windows. The three centre window bays project forward and are crowned with a pediment on the parapet. Above runs a stringcourse and cornice supporting a balustraded parapet. A Latin motto, "AEDEM HONORANDO MATRIS NOMINE SIGNARI MERITO FILIUS VOLUIT", is inscribed on the parapet. The windows have moulded architrave surrounds with cills; glazing bars survive on the first floor, and keystones crown those on the ground floor.

At the centre of the east wing stands a portico comprising four round Ionic columns with square Doric columns at the corners, topped by a balustraded parapet. The east end of this wing features a curved three-light bay. The south wing contains four windows, with the southernmost bay recessed. At its southern end stands a single-storey pavilion; its south front displays four rusticated pilasters, while its east front has two freestanding Ionic columns with a recess between them and a parapet above. The north wing is a single-storey pavilion crowned with a dome and featuring porticos on its east, north, and west sides. The porticos on the east and west have four round Ionic columns and square Doric piers at the angles, with entablature and parapet. The north portico has a pair of coupled Ionic columns supporting a pediment in the parapet. Round-headed doorways with pilasters and projecting cornices on console brackets appear on the north and west sides; the west entrance served as the main entrance to the house. Within this pavilion is a circular hall where columns with leaf capitals support the entablature of the dome.

The west wing originally contained service quarters and stables. On its north side, facing the drive, is a blank wall pierced by a high rusticated carriage arch in the centre, flanked by Doric columns with a parapet above; this arch, which once led to the stables, is now blocked. On either side stand three round-headed blind arches of lower elevation, their cornices and double parapets pierced in the upper portion with large scrolls flanking the centre arch.

The interior contains extensive decorations in Egyptian and Etruscan modes. A ballroom features a ceiling with 24 painted roundels depicting Ancient and Mediaeval playwrights, philosophers, poets and orators. A drawing room is decorated with painted swags and birds. A circular dome displays an Etruscan-style painted ceiling. A staircase has two iron balusters to each step. "Egypt Corner" is a lobby with four columns topped with Lotus capitals supporting an entablature painted with snake emblems, eagles, and pseudo-Egyptian hieroglyphs, accompanied by three door surrounds similarly decorated. The rotunda entrance was undergoing repair at the time of survey.

Listed at Grade II* for its interior architectural interest.