Hackwood House

Hackwood House is a palatial mansion of symmetrical design with a core dating to about 1680, substantially added to and re-clad by Lewis Wyatt between 1810 and 1813. The building retains the form established by its 17th-century origins while incorporating significant Regency-period alterations.

The north elevation is composed of 2 storeys arranged as a central block with set-back sides of one bay, flanked by lower curved units on either side linking to forward flanking wings. The central block contains 7 bays (arranged 2:3:2) dominated by a central Ionic portico. The portico features 4 Ionic columns standing in front of pilasters against the main wall, with plain capitals and full base mouldings, supporting a pediment enclosing a sculptured coat of arms. Above runs a lead-clad blocking course continuing from the moulded cornices, with a frieze merging into the portico's entablature. The windows of the central and flanking blocks are set in moulded architraves, with a moulded band at first-floor cill level and a plinth continuing to the spreading 9 steps of the entrance. The curved units of 1810 feature a slender cornice and plain first-floor band, each with a central doorway set in an oval recess containing 2 columns and side pilasters. The door itself is plain-framed with a 3-light fanlight and 6-panelled door. The large central doorway within the portico has a cornice on brackets, pulvinated frieze, and architrave. Each wing projects forward (from the original layout) in 5 bays with an added northern unit of one bay. The north elevation of each wing contains a central arched recess with impost band continuing from the main structure's first-floor band, flanked on each side by a blank circular panel above a niche. Within the recess are 2 Doric columns supporting a frieze, cornice, and stepped blocking course, with a window set back behind. All windows throughout are sashes in reveals. The walls are rendered in stucco with hipped slate roofing.

The rear elevation was widened in 1810 by the addition of one-storey wings, transforming the earlier scheme of a central block of 2 storeys and attic with flanking 2-storied wings into the present symmetrical arrangement of nine bays (1:3:1:2:3:2:1:3:1). The cornice along the 2-storey section projects centrally above detached Ionic columns, with the attic storey featuring pilasters topped by cornices and vases. A plain band marks the first-floor cill level above a plinth. The centrepiece contains French windows. The slightly-projecting end sections of the wings have wider ground-floor windows of cambered form. The single-storey wings added in 1810 display panels above their windows, with slightly-projecting end units featuring a blind arch with keystone enclosing a stone-framed window (comprising cornice, architrave, and balustered base). All windows are sashes in reveals. The outer faces of the flanking northern wings are plain.

The east end of the south front is elaborately treated and designed to be seen at the end of a vista along the central avenue of Spring Wood. This symmetrical facade features the Ionic Order with a pediment containing 2 columns within square pilasters, flanked by a further bay terminating in corner pilasters. The outer bays have panels above stone-framed niches (with cornice, architrave, and balustered base). The centre recess contains a tall 3-light opening for a French window, surmounted by a cornice with 4 console brackets and flanked by slender panelled pilasters.

The interior contains panelling and fireplace surrounds in the late 17th and 18th-century style, featuring carved swag ornament. These interior fittings were brought from Abbotstone House.