Palace House

BEAULIEU BEAULIEU MANOR ESTATE SU 3802/3902 17/18 Palace House 8.10.59 GV I Medium-sized country house incorporating monastic gatehouse. Mid C14 gatehouse, converted to hunting lodge c1540 for Lord Wriothesley, extended early C18 when moat and turreted wall built around site, restored and much enlarged 1872 by A Blomfield. Coursed rubble stone, stone dressings, old plain tile roof. Plan of large usual gatehouse of 2 storeys and attic, 2 span by 2 bays deep, set gables on with 1 x 1 bay part set back on one side; Blomfield added to far corner of projection 4 storey stair tower (to serve his main range), on other side single storey addition with projecting porch over moat and behind projecting slightly lower wing, with C16 turret on junction; behind gatehouse Blomfield built long double pile slightly lower range with crosswings either end, built on side and end walls above moat and incorporating turrets raised to 2 storey (this range projects 3 bays beyond stair tower against gatehouse). South elevation has gatehouse part to LH and set-back to RH C19 main range. Gatehouse has, in centre, stonework of 2 moulded order pointed archway, filled in with C19 hipped stone-roofed oriel window with light either side, each light ogee trefoil with transom. Each side tall sloping-topped buttress, and square-headed window of 2-trefoiled-lights under one and 2 x ½ quatrefoils. Above archway tall canopied niche between pointed 2-trefoiled light windows. Over corbel table and 2 kneelered gables with 3-light mullion windows. On roof ridges C19 square-shafted stacks with moulded heads. To LH of gatehouse single storey part with 5-transomed-light mullioned window and 4-centred doorway and corbelled crenellated parapet. Inside gatehouse front part was originally a porch to central carriageway and footway on its LH, both arches visible in central wall of gatehouse proper, RH doorway C16. Both parts vaulted with tierceron star vaults. RH part of porch was room with C15 fireplace and square-headed 3-trefoiled light window and pointed door. On 1st floor were 2 chapels with, originally 2 pointed arches between, and piscinas and C14 east windows. VCH; Vol IV; 1911; p652. Buildings of England, Hampshire, Pevsner; Penguin; 1966; p96-7. Country Life, 1906, p702-7.

Listing NGR: SP4095100000