Ramsbury Manor

SU 27 SE 4/236 22.8.66

RAMSBURY WHITE'S HILL

Ramsbury Manor

I

Great House. 1681-83, probably by Robert Hooke for Sir William Jones, attorney-general. On site of house of the Earl of Pembroke c1560 replacing a palace of the Bishops of Salishury. Brick, with stone dressings. Tiled roof. 2-storey with attics and basement, becoming 3 storey on south. 9 x 6 bays, double pile plan with servants cottages to south forming courtyard enclosed by conservatory of 1775. Centre 3 bays of elevation quoined and projected, having central glazed doors up flight of steps and segmental pediment. Crowning pediment containing arms and festoons. 24-pane sashes with stone architraves and cornices and rich modillion cornice. Roof hipped with 6 flat roofed dormers, 4 to returns. Cupola lighting central well, and panelled stacks. Rear elevation similar, north with 2 central bays with pediment and pair of segmental pedimented doors. Interior: Entrance hall with C17 panelling leads to rear saloon with C18 plaster ceiling and good carved overmantel in style of Grinling Gibbons. Principal stair on north c1800. Secondary stair to south of cross axis has heavy turned balusters and connecting bridge at first floor level. Most other internal features of mid to late C18, including fireplaces and library, and one bedroom with Chinese wallpaper. Conservatory south of courtyard of 5 tall arched windows and full length pediment. (Reference: Pevsner, Buildings of England. WILTSHIRE. V.C.II. Wiltshire XII, 19-22).

Listing NGR: SU2569570992