Wilton House

Wilton House is an outstanding country house of significant historical and architectural merit, set within landscaped grounds, possibly on the site of a medieval nunnery. The house was largely rebuilt by the 1st Earl of Pembroke after 1544, with construction completed by 1563. Surviving elements from this early phase include the Holbein porch and the central section of the east front. The south wing was remodelled by Solomon de Caux in the early 17th century and rebuilt after a 1647 fire by John Webb, with Inigo Jones overseeing the internal arrangements. Around 1801, Wyatt Gothicized the house, constructing a cloister in the courtyard and remodelling the north and west fronts. Early in the 20th century, much of the exterior Gothic detailing was removed and replaced with classical features.

The house is constructed of ashlar, with two and three storeys, and corner and gate towers one storey higher. It features a modillion cornice and balustraded parapets. The east front, originally the entrance front, has a circa 1550 central gate tower of four storeys and three bays, displaying mullion and transom windows (extended on the first floor), topped by a central three-storey oriel over a Tudor archway. A Gothick parapet (by Wyatt, circa 1801) and a modern cupola are also present. The entrance is flanked by Doric aedicules, surmounted by an achievement of arms. C16 arms are displayed above the central first-floor window. Flanking wings of two bays connect with corner towers of two bays each; these have glazing bar windows with architraves, first-floor cornices, sash windows on the ground and first floors, and casements above.

The south front comprises nine bays, with end towers of one bay, featuring pedimented gables and quoins. The towers have segmental pediments over third-floor windows (glazing bar casements). All windows incorporate architraves, with cornices on the first floor (piano nobile), and segmental headed surrounds with heavy voussoired keystones on the ground (semi-basement) floor. Second-floor windows are casements, while the remainder are glazing bar sashes. A central first-floor window is Venetian, flanked by carved figures and surmounted by an achievement of arms. The end first-floor windows have pediments; these, along with the centre window, have projecting square balustrade balconies supported by porches.

The west front includes two and three-storey infill sections between corner towers and has crenellated parapets. A central canted bay window provides access to the Italian garden via a wide staircase. The north front, also remodelled, features mullioned windows. The internal courtyard contains two-storey crenellated cloisters by Wyatt, with first-floor windows showcasing wide Tudor perpendicular four-light windows.

Wilton House is a significant country house, and the Herbert family (Earls of Pembroke) have been notable patrons of the arts and builders. The south range is of crucial importance to the development of Palladianism and contains the best surviving 17th-century state rooms in England, designed by Inigo Jones.