Remains Of Carclew House

Remains of Carclew House

This is a ruin of a country house begun by Samuel Kemp circa 1720s, extended and completed circa 1750s for William Lemon, probably by Thomas Edwards, and further extended in the later 18th and early 19th centuries. The house was gutted by fire in 1934. It is constructed of granite ashlar, except for stuccoed rubble used in the later 18th and early 19th century additions.

The original plan comprised a large central block three rooms wide with a central hall flanked by reception rooms, a stair hall behind the main hall, and service rooms to either side to the rear. Single storey wings over basements linked the central block to originally identical pavilions. In the later 18th century, the house was extended to the left (west) by a double-depth range containing front reception rooms and rear service rooms connected by a long axial passage. The 18th century work terminates to the left with a square clock tower, but was extended further left and to the rear during the 19th century.

The house was designed in the Palladian style, with the original central section of circa 1750 employing the Ionic order. The south front was originally symmetrical, featuring a recessed three-window front behind a tetrastyle Ionic portico with engaged terminal columns. On either side were identical rusticated ashlar two-window bays with moulded strings below flat arch level and moulded cornices to the parapet. Single storey five-window fronts with Tuscan colonnades, surmounted by entablatures and cornices, extended from the central section to left and right. The entire front of this central section was fronted by a granite balustrade, with flanking stairs. Between the column bases of the colonnades and to the left and right of the stairs, the balustrade continued. At the far left and right stood pedimented single storey pavilions over basements, each with a central Venetian window.

Much of the central portico and the section to the left survives, though the walling to the right is largely fallen. Both colonnades have been destroyed and the balustrades are removed, though considerable quantities of original stone remain on the site, including moulded cornices from front and rear elevations. The building survives in many parts to full wall height of two storeys over basement, complete with cornices, though the eastern part suffered the greatest fire damage and to the right of the Ionic portico is reduced to basement level for much of its extent.

The later 18th century work to the left features a fairly intact single storey over basement three-window front and a four-stage clock tower to the left. The stucco is crumbling, but granite dressings including strings, sill consoles, moulded sills, jamb stones, arch stones and cornices remain complete. The front has plain openings to the basement and Venetian windows to the first floor, left and right, with a central single-light opening with moulded architrave.

The clock tower has splayed corners with a round-arched opening to the basement and a tall narrow opening to the first floor. A continuation of the parapet cornice serves as a string course. Round clock face openings to the front and left (west) sides have a moulded string hood above. A bellcote with round-arched openings, moulded impost string and cornice crowns the tower.

The interior, though overgrown and in a dangerous condition, retains much internal walling. Window shutters and panelled reveals survive in places. A granite stair with iron balustraded columns stands to one side of the axial passage.

The estate at Carclew replaced an earlier house that survived until the 18th century. Known as Cargelew-Dangarus in Henry II's reign, it was owned by descendants of the Daungers family, who married into the Renaudins and Bonythons in the early 15th century. The Renaudins died out, but the Bonythons continued until 1697, when Richard, the last male heir of the elder branch, died leaving an only daughter, Jane, who married Samuel Kemp. Carclew is now a magnificent romantic ruin, built in a commanding position overlooking Restronguet Creek and Carrick Roads beyond. It was formerly one of Cornwall's finest 18th century country houses.