The Durdans

EPSOM 1. 1086 CHALK LANE (West Side) The Durdans TQ 2059 34/86 10.1.74. II*

1. 1. Architect William Newton. Altered in C19, possibly by George Devey. Red brick. Pitched slate roof. 2 storeys. Moulded stone cornice and balustrade. Principal front has 2 - 3 - 2 windows with C19 stone mullions and transoms. Centre 3 bays break forward slightly. Neo-Georgian porch in centre of ground floor. Garden front similar, but central 3 bays are canted. End elevations have 2 ranges of windows under coped gable end, in which is set 1 semi-circular lunette. 2 cartouches in south end. 1 reads "Chs. Dalbiac Restt. 1764 Wm. Newton Art",. and the other "SG. Sibyllae Amicisque 1929-55". Interior retains at least 2 original chimney pieces to Newton's designs (drawings in R I B A Collection), of which the better has a depressed arch with a keystone, surmounted by a marble bas-relief and flanked by detached Ionic columns. Original house was built by Lord Berkeley in the mid C17, and its appearance suggests that it was as advanced in taste as his more famous town house in Piccadilly. Its subsequent owners included the 2nd Duke of Argyll (in 1708), The Earl of Guilford (in 17ll), and Frederick, Prince of Wales. It was pulled down and the present house built for Charles Dalbiac. In the late C19 it was the seat of the Earl of Rosebery, Prime Minister and owner of several Derby winners.

Listing NGR: TQ2078059452