Biddesden House

LUDGERSHALL BIDDESDEN LANE SU 25 SE (north side) 9/227 Biddesden House 4.6.52 I

House in parkland. 1710-1711 for General John Richmond Webb (?1667-1724), the architect unknown. Flemish bond brickwork with stone dressings. Tiled roofs. Two storey, cellars and attics. Main rectangular block with enclosed courtyard to rear, and rear walled garden. C18 terraces to west of house. Main block has 2- storey entrance hall centrally placed with large drawing room to left and dining room to right. Stair off to rear of hall, and domestic quarters to rear on right. South front of 7 bays, the 3 central bays set forward between pilasters, and attic floor above cornice carrying a half-round pediment, flanked by sculptured trophies. Standing coat of arms at centre. Central 10-panelled door with fanlight in rusticated frame. Flat stone canopy on consoles. To either side, 24-paned sashes with round heads, gauged brick arches with stone key and springer blocks. First floor of central block has 3 keyed oculi opening to hall, the top key corniced. Sun Insurance fire mark. Bays 1, 2, 6 and 7 have 12- paned sashes with similar round arches to both floors below cornice, the cornice with an acanthus enriched frieze over centre. Attic floor has 8-paned sashes in segmental headed openings, with keyblocks. Parapet. Return elevation on right is of 7 bays, altered to match, and terminating with a round brick corner tower of 4 stages, with crenellated parapet, circular openings, and windvane, containing a bell brought from the siege of Lille. Left elevation, symmetrical of 7 bays, central half glazed door in pedimented doorcase, and 12-paned sashes with round heads to both main floors. Window paintings, one window on left elevation by Dora Carrington, 1931 of cook, cat and canary. Similar paintings of fashionable C18 persons on the two windows of right elevation by Roland Pym 1935, restored 1950's. Library on left elevation built over rear domestic quarters c1930, in completely matching style. Interior: Entrance saloon has black and white stone floor. Pedimented and architraved doors to dining and drawing rooms and fireplace. Drawing room, extended to north in C20, fully panelled, with fireplace with marble slips, all probably mid C18. Dining room also panelled, as are many first floor rooms. Stair early C18, oak, with shaped and carved handrail and 3 twisted balusters to each step. Carved brackets under, and dado bolection panelling. General Webb was a senior officer under Marlborough, fought at Blenheim, 1703, Ramilles 1706, Oudenaarde 1708, Malplacquet 1709 and Wynendaele. The house built on his retirement, and his large equestrian portrait of 1712 by J. Wootton hangs centrally in hall. (Pevsner: Buildings of England: Wiltshire; Country Life)

Listing NGR: SU2952951007