Lake House

WILSFORD CUM LAKE LAKE SU 13 NW (east side) 8/203 Lake House

10.1.53 I House, 1578 for George Duke, clothier, restored 1898 by Detmar Blow in consultation with Philip Webb, complete reconstruction of interior 1912 after fire, also by Blow, and additions 1933 by Darcy Braddell. Chilmark limestone and flint chequerwork (1578) and tiled roof. Two storeys, attic and cellars. 'L'-plan augmented in C20. Symmetrical main west front of 5 bays, each bay gabled. Central two-storey crenellated porch with round-arched door and geometric strapwork pilasters. Three-light ovolo moulded mullioned and transomed window to first floor. Applied arms of Duke family. Flanking bays 2 and 4 have similar windows. Outer bays 1 and 5 have 2-storey square bays with chamfered angles, and similar windows. Two-light attic windows in gables with label hoods. All glazing leaded, C20. Panelled main door and ironwork bell pull, foot scrapers etc. String courses at heads of windows. Return elevation on north has 4 bays. Large mullioned and transomed windows and gables, and large part-external stacks carrying diagonal shafts. Various C20 extensions on north and east corner. On south-west corner, dining hall added 1933 by Darcy Braddell. Two bays, with lateral part-external stack and twinned octagonal shafts. Canted tall bay window to east. On north side of house, a long single storey rendered brick stable wing forms curved enclosure to service yard. Clock tower. Interior: Plan altered and wholly refitted after 1912 and supplied with appropriate late C16 and C17 chimneypieces and panelling. To left of entrance hall, sitting room has stone fireplace dated 1658 and carved overmantel. C17 panelling and short stair to higher level of rear wing. Dentilled cornice. Drawing room right of entrance. C18 panelling. Yellow marble bolection moulded fireplace. Axial display cabinet with shell hood. Stair to rear of hall, on left, 1912 by Blow, limed pine, with open well and columns on first floor. Turned balustrade, with wyvern headed newels, and dado panelling. On first floor, main bedroom panelled, with chimneypiece. Bathroom panelled in Italian marble, original WC and bath of 1935. Kings Room (for King Alphonso of Spain) has panelling and stone fireplace with carved overmantel. Dining hall of 1933 has spectacular chimneypiece of stone carved with relief St George and dragon C17, panelling and carved frieze dated 1633, to which Bailey family initials added, and plaster ceiling from a London livery company. The house was the residence of Rev. Edward Duke, archaeologist and colleague of Colt Hoare. (Pevsner: Buildings of England: Wiltshire; Country Life: Feb 8th 1908 and March 1937; Architectural Review: V. 171 (1899)

Listing NGR: SU1338838959