Lackham House

LACOCK LACKHAM ST 97 SW 1/114 Lackham House II

Country house, now agricultural college, 1791-6 for James Montagu, ashlar with low pitched slate valley roofs and ashlar end stacks. Formal 3-storey Palladian style mansion, square plan with low parallel wings each side linked by screen walls to main range. Garden front of 2-3-2 windows with slightly projected pedimented centre and balustraded parapet each side. Ground floor, possibly altered, has plain tall French windows and high 8-column Roman Doric loggia with balustraded balcony. First floor pedimented sash windows in architraves with moulded sill course, moulded band over and attic casements in square openings. Modillion cornice. Rear, entrance, facade is much plainer, 2-2-2 windows with walling of square rubble up to attic, which is ashlar faced. Moulded cornice and parapet. Ground floor has boldly detailed free Baroque style enclosed porch of c1900 in ashlar with typical blocked columns and pilasters, deep semi-circular hood and Arts and Crafts style iron lamps. Link walls each side of main fronts have moulded cornice and balustrade. Parallel wings have end walls treated as decorative pavilions with 3-bay fronts, the centres advanced with pediments applied against pedimental gables, the narrow side bays with parapets. Centre ground floor tripartite window with 12-pane sash each side, first floor sill-course under centre lunette with oval light to side bays. East side of east wing has plain 2-storey elevation of 2-light beaded mullion windows. West side of west wing is former coach-house and stable with projecting pedimented centre of 2 lunettes over 2 blocked coach entries. Ridge cupola. Attractive pedimented dormers, possibly of c1900, each side. Ground floor mostly obscured, but, to left, 2 lunettes and centre door. Interior: much fielded panelling to hall and spine corridors. Ground floor north-west room has Adam style decoration and fine plaster ceiling. Open well stair with turned balusters and panelled dado. Original panelled doors. In west service court, a billiard room with top-lit coved ceiling and vine tendril Arts and Crafts style plasterwork of c1900. Lackham was owned by the Baynard family from the C14 to 1636 when it passed to the Montagu family. The medieval house was demolished by James Montagu V in 1791. The alterations of c1900 were carried out for G.L. Palmer. (Wiltshire Notes and Queries, 3, 1899)

Listing NGR: ST9228670177