Somerley House

SU 10 NW ELLINGHAM, HARBRIDGE & IBSLEY SOMERLEY PARK ESTATE

4/23 Somerley House 30.9.64 GV II*

Medium-sized country house. 1792-5 by Samuel Wyatt for David Hobson, purchased in 1828 by 2nd Earl of Normanton, who built picture gallery 1850-1, in 1868 house remodelled, gallery refaced and 2nd floor added by W Burn. Yellow brick with stone and stucco dressings, part stuccoed, behind parapets slate roofs. Originally plan of 5 (3 on east river front) x 6 bay, 2 storey house, with 1½ storey, 6 bay picture gallery added to one corner and colonnade along one side linking to it; Burn added 2nd floor, single storey projection to the east front, encased the gallery and enlarged the service buildings on the north side. West, entrance front was remodelled in 1960's when C19 single projections removed. In centre repositioned stone Ionic porch. Under double doors and side lights. Each side 2 C19 sashes in moulded architrave. In front of each corner small square-plan 1 storey projection with rubbed niche on front and side, and running from corners a screen wall of 3 bays witharchitrave frames in each bay. On 1st floor raised sill band and C19 4-pane sashes in architraves. 2nd floor band and smaller sashes. Moulded cornice and balustrade with piers between bays. Behind, hipped roof. Stacks on corners and on ridge either side of centre. To RH, south front has 6 C19 cross-French- windows under early C19 stone colonnade of paired Ionic columns. Rest of front similar to other. From corner projects gallery, refronted in Italianate style, with rustication, niches with statues, 1st floor cornice and architraved panels, cornice and balustrade. Inside behind door entrance hall with screen of Doric green marble demi-columns and quarter pilasters to full frieze against wall with archway to 2 storey top-lit saloon. To LH is small Study and behind C18 dog-leg staircase with plain iron hand-rail, over oval skylight. Behind again Dining Room C18, all Wyatt, with ceramic medallions on ceilings. To RH West Library with half- height mahogany book-cases, double doors to East Library with Italian stuccoists ceiling, and marble fireplace with overmantal containing portrait. Behind this and saloon L-shaped drawing room, leading to impressive picture gallery, top-lit with Rubens Fireplace and organ. Buildings of England, Hampshire; N Pevsner; 1966; p 508.

Listing NGR: SU1679209146