Ince Castle

Ince Castle 1. 5155 SX 45 NW 4/20 17.1.52 I 2. 1653 according to documents, but circa 1630 in style. Remarkable in plan, style and in use of brick. English bond brick with stone dressings and hipped slate roof. Rectangular with 4 storey projecting towers at corners with pyramidal roofs above modillion eaves cornices. Embattled parapet. 2 storey continuous moulded cornice. with bund over ground floor. Glazing bar sash windows, mostly C18 and reproduction main entrance to west, approached by a long flight of steps to first floor level. Segment headed granite doorway, disused, flanked by pairs of mullion windows under commondrip, pediment over and cornice raised over it. Ground floor windows are C19 tripartite variety (see others on ground floor). 2 windows (on ground floor of flanking towers) retain plain stone mullion casements under segmented arch. Interior: modern Chinese Chippendale staircase in front. South-east tower contains a mid C17 staircase. The plan may relate to 'toy forts' like the nearby Mont Edyecumbe House. The style with corner hursts may relate to current court fashion (see Wilton). The first floor entry (as in the earlier castle keeps) is quite anachronistic and idiosyneratic. For full appreciation and for discussion of rival building dates and builders see Christopher Hussey's articles in Country Life 16 March 1967 and 23 March 1967.

Listing NGR: SX4013556514