Boathouse And Covered Bridge At Longleat House

ST 84 SW, 2/140

HORNINGSHAM, LONGLEAT PARK (north side), Boathouse and covered bridge at Longleat House

(formerly listed as boat house at Longleat House)

11.09.68

GV

I

Boathouse with covered bridge over inlet of Half Mile Pond. Circa 1807 by Jeffry Wyatville for 2nd Marquess of Bath. Limestone ashlar, Welsh slate hipped roof. Segmental moulded archway to wet dock, covered bridge over with balustraded parapet and glazed round-arched opening, 6-pane fixed window either side and strapwork panel over, flanking Doric pilasters to entablature and blocking course with corner urns. Double-glazed doors with Doric pilasters open onto bridge. Either side of bridge are ashlar-faced walls of boathouse with blind architrave to right and studded door to left, leading to boathouse. To rear is partly enclosed wet dock, boathouse has open front with trellis, semi-circular parapet to edge of wet dock. Left return is ashlar faced with corniced blocking course. Interior of bridge has stone floor, large round-arched recess flanked by square-headed recesses, strapwork panels and plaster ceiling with rosettes. Part of Wyatville's additions and improvements to buildings in the park, Humphry Repton was also involved in the landscaping and deepened Half Mile Pond and formed the island. (D. Burnett, Longleat, 1978; Red Book by Repton and original plans, Longleat Archives.)

Listing NGR: ST8090343138