Cranborne Lodge

Cranborne Lodge is a country house, originally dating to around 1700, with significant additions in the mid-18th century, the late 18th or early 19th century, and the 20th century. It was initially built for the Stillingfleet family. The house is constructed of brick, with a mix of Flemish and header bond patterns, and incorporates ashlar dressings. The tiled and lead roofs are largely hidden behind a brick parapet. The original north front features four bays arranged under a pediment, with a first-floor plat band. It has 12-pane sashes to the first two floors and 6-pane sashes to the second floor. The first-floor window openings have large triple keystones and rusticated architraves. A central, pedimented porch is supported by Ionic columns, and features a part-glazed door. The south front is symmetrical, with nine bays arranged in a 3:3:3 layout, the central pavilion being the original part of the house. This pavilion has a tetrastyle facade with a giant order of Ionic pilasters. The south front has 12-pane sashes under flat, gauged brick arches, each with a triple keystone. It is fronted by a central, pedimented doorway with Ionic columns and a rusticated, round-headed window above, containing a glazed door. The pediment has a pulvinated frieze and contains a round-headed window with a stone keystone and impost. Internal features include 18th-century fittings, moulded cornices, and panelled dadoes, along with some 18th-century chimney pieces. The south hall contains an Ionic colonnade. One first-floor room boasts an elaborate Rococo plastered ceiling with a matching chimney piece; the ceiling’s centerpiece is a gilt eagle surrounded by clouds and thunderbolts. A bedroom contains a plaster cornice decorated with oak leaves and acorns.