South Tidworth House

SU 24 NW 1381/11/10020

TIDWORTH South Tidworth House

24.10.84

II* Formerly listed in the Borough of Test Valley, Hampshire. Country mansion. c1860. Large 2-storeyed house of ornate classical style, in a parkland setting: stone ashlar, with (hidden) slate roof. L-shaped plan, with imposing elevations to the south and east. The symmetrical south front has 2:1:3:1:2 windows. The centrepiece has a pediment to an Ionic order of 4( columns, the cornice being carried round the front via the recess (with ground floor columned porch) between the centre and wings, with a balustrade above: the upper openings have segmental pediments on brackets and balustraded base (joined in the wings to form balconies), the ground floor walls are rusticated, the openings have eared architraves with rustic blocks and keys, plinth. Victorian sashes. Attached to the west side of the south front is a single-storeyed pavilion of 4 bays (separated by a recessed bay) with an Ionic order of columns standing forward of pilasters, rusticated walls, keys to openings: this block has a portico at its west end, comprising a Roman arcade of 3 bays. The east front is also symmetrical, of 2:3:2 windows with an Ionic Order to the taller centre-piece: the details of the elevation being similar to the south front. At its north side there extends (eastwards) a garden pavilion, which on its north side shows as a plain wall broken by rusticated pilasters; this serves as a foil to the porte-cochere, which is a feature of the north entrance, having arched entrances at the east and west, flanked by rusticated columns supporting segmental pediments. West of the porte-cochere is a court with an extensive 2 storeyed service block at its west side, with regular fenestration in a plain stucco facade; it has a slightly-projecting entrance feature with windows flanking a carriage arch and a segmental pediment supported by rusticated side pilasters: above all this is a domed turret. Inside the building, the large-scale classical treatment is applied with elaborate effect: the entrance lobby has a massive ornate fireplace, there is a 2-storeyed top lit circulation hall with columns above arches in the centre of each side, with openings where needed (including one for the main staircase), the state rooms have elaborate plasterwork and classical details. To the north, the service wing has been extended in the C20, with a simple elevation treatment which avoids competition with the taller main block.

Listing NGR: SU2327647565