The Mansion, Ottershaw Park

The Mansion at Ottershaw Park is a large house dating from 1910, built by Niven and Wigglesworth for F G J Eckstein. It incorporates elements of an earlier house and features projecting side wings. The construction was carried out by Trollope and Colls. The house is built of stone with slated mansard roofs and stone stacks. The central five-bay section rises three storeys with dormers, while the wings are half a storey lower. It is executed in a heavy Palladian style. A porte-cochere leads to a low entrance opening onto a marble-lined lobby. A grand staircase rises to the piano nobile, leading to a very large hall or saloon with a bowed end opening onto a garden terrace. An inner screen of Ionic scagliola columns further embellishes the hall. A handsome carved stone fireplace is a notable feature. The library is panelled throughout in walnut, and the lounge contains an Ionic-screened alcove and decorative carved details in a bold Dutch baroque style. Moulded plaster ceilings are in keeping with the overall design. Doors and door furniture throughout demonstrate fine quality and craftsmanship.