Lake House

Lake House is a large country house, largely dating to 1578, originally built for George Duke, a clothier. It was restored in 1898 by Detmar Blow, in consultation with Philip Webb. Following a fire in 1912, the interior was completely reconstructed by Blow, and further additions were made in 1933 by Darcy Braddell. The house is constructed of Chilmark limestone and flint, laid in a chequerwork pattern, with a tiled roof.

The main west front has a symmetrical layout of five bays, each gabled. A central two-storey crenellated porch features a round-arched doorway flanked by geometric strapwork pilasters. Above the doorway is a three-light mullioned and transomed window, displaying the arms of the Duke family. Flanking bays have similar windows. The outer bays have two-storey square bays with chamfered angles and windows. Two-light attic windows are set within the gables, each with a label hood. All windows have leaded C20 glazing. A panelled front door and original ironwork, including a bell pull and foot scrapers, are present. String courses are positioned at the heads of the windows. The north return elevation features four bays with large mullioned and transomed windows, gables, and prominent external stacks carrying diagonal shafts. C20 extensions are visible on the north and east corners. A dining hall, added in 1933 by Darcy Braddell, is located on the south-west corner, featuring a lateral stack with twinned octagonal shafts and a tall canted bay window on the east side. A rendered brick stable wing, single-storey in height, forms a curved enclosure to the service yard on the north side of the house. A clock tower is also present.

The interior layout was significantly altered and completely refitted after 1912. It now incorporates late 16th and 17th century chimneypieces and panelling. In the sitting room, a stone fireplace bears a date of 1658 and a carved overmantel. C17 panelling and a short staircase lead to a higher level of the rear wing. A dentilled cornice is also visible. The drawing room features C18 panelling, a yellow marble bolection moulded fireplace, and an axial display cabinet with a shell hood. A staircase, designed by Blow in 1912, is located to the left of the entrance hall, constructed of limed pine with an open well and columns on the first floor. It has a turned balustrade with wyvern-headed newels and dado panelling. A panelled main bedroom and a bathroom, panelled in Italian marble, with an original WC and bath from 1935, are also found on the first floor. The “King's Room,” intended for King Alphonso of Spain, includes panelling, a stone fireplace with a carved overmantel, and decorative details. The 1933 dining hall features a spectacular stone chimneypiece carved with a relief depicting St George and the dragon, panelling, a carved frieze dated 1633 with Bailey family initials, and a plaster ceiling from a London livery company. The house was once the residence of Rev. Edward Duke, an archaeologist and colleague of Colt Hoare.