Amport House

SU 2944 AMPORT FURZEDOWN LANE

8/1 Amport House

II

Country mansion. 1857, by William Burn. Brick walls with stone dressings, and a steep slate roof. The design resembles the English style of c1600, the elevations being regular but not symmetrical; the tall house-block is of 2 storeys with attic, and the extensive service wing of 1 storey and attic, in each case the upper floors have semi-dormer windows. The south (garden) front is symmetrical, with an added bay at the east side, of 1.3.1:1 windows. The centre part has 1/2 dormers with gables, and there are attic windows in the side gables: beneath each gable is a 2-storeyed splayed bay. Walls of yellow brickwork in English bond with flush Bath stone dressings: the gables have small finials, with a stepped verge at each foot containing a finial, 2nd floor stone band (of classical cornice), 1st floor band (of a Gothic drip-mould), flush quoins, chamfered reveals, mullions and transoms, plinth: open strapwork at the top of the bays. Casements, 3 French windows in the middle. The east (entrance) elevation has a gable to the south side and a narrow bay of 4 storeys set back at the north side (also gabled): 1.3.1 windows. The details are similar, and at the south side there is a porch, in a Tuscan Order, of 2 columns 2 pilasters, an arched entrance and ½ glazed door, the columns being enriched at top and bottom by strapwork. The service block comprises ranges round a courtyard, with a link to the house; the elevation treatment is similar but without ornamentation. Inside the building there is a long gallery behind the staterooms, lined with 'Jacobean' panelling, and having a fireplace with a classical overmantel: opposite is a flight of stairs in the same style and at each ½ landing a large-window formed of many lights, each containing painted escutcheons (of the Paulet family): the gallery has a set of early C19 paintings of birds. The main rooms have several details which came from an earlier (c18) house, including 4 fireplaces, in one room a set of panels, 3 doors and wood cornice. Behind the staircase is a top-lit billiard room, with original furnishings.

Listing NGR: SU2969644083