Summer House At Wilbury House

The summer house at Wilbury House, built around 1710 for and probably by William Benson, is situated on the north-east avenue from Wilbury House and is raised over an ice house. It was restored in 1899 by A.C.W. Malet. The structure is made of pebbledashed brick with stone dressings and features a felt roof. It has an octagonal chamber that is accessed by ten balustraded steps, with an additional three rounded steps leading to glazed and panelled doors on the west face. Above the entrance, there is a half-domed canopy supported by brackets, topped with a lead roof. The building has attached columns at the corners, with alternate drums that are rusticated, and sash windows on each face. A timber entablature and cornice are present, with the cornice breaking forward over each angle column. The interior is matchboarded and has a domed ceiling. The ice house beneath can be accessed through a passage from the east, leading to a domed chamber that is partly filled in.