The Grange

The Grange is a country house built between 1670 and 1673 by William Samwell for Sir Robert Henley. It was encased and remodeled from 1804 to 1809 by William Wilkins for Henry Drummond, with further additions made in 1817 by Sir Robert Smirke, from 1823 to 1825 and in 1852 by C. R. Cockerell, and from 1868 to 1870 by John Cox for Sir Francis Baring, later Lord Ashburton, and his descendants. The shell and roof were restored by the Department of the Environment from 1980 to 1982.

The building is constructed of brick with stone dressings, encased in stucco, and has a slate roof. Originally, it featured nine bay sides with a projecting center of three bays and end bays, as well as seven bay ends with a projecting center of three bays and blind end bays. It has two storeys and an attic on a raised basement. The west front was revealed by the demolition of later additions and restored by the Department of the Environment. Wilkins' work is an important early example of Greek Revival architecture, as he encased the existing house to create nine bay sides with giant pilasters, a projecting center of three bays with four square piers, and a massive entablature with wreaths in the frieze to conceal the attic and roof.

At the east end, he added a large Greek Doric portico that is six columns wide and two columns deep, overlooking the sloping ground down to the lake. The basement was hidden behind a massive stucco podium with stone coping on the east and south sides, while raised ground surrounds the other sides. Most of the later additions have been removed, except for Cockerell's conservatory and Cox's second-floor windows inserted in the frieze.

The house is situated on a promontory overlooking a lake that was landscaped by Robert Adam, with remnants of terraces to the south and east, providing wide views over the wooded park. The Grange is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is currently under the guardianship of the Department of the Environment.