Worthy Park House

SU 53 SW ITCHEN VALLEY B3047

7/5 Worthy Park House 5.12.55 GV II*

Medium-sized country house. Circa 1829 by Sir Robert Smirke for Sir Charles Ogle. Yellow brick with Portland stone dressings, slated roofs. 5 bay 2 storey central block with attic storeys to end bays running right across, but forming effect of towers. At each end single storey with high parapet wings of 3 bays, possibly added in late 1830s. S, garden front has slightly projecting end bays to central block. 3 centre bays have 3 steps in front with seated lions at each end. Centre 3 windows tall with arched heads of Portland stone joined by string at impost level. End bays have similar openings but with rubbed brick arches. Windows 15-pane 3-part sashes and blank arch panels. Each wing has similar openings with blank arch panels to left and fanlights to right. Wings have tall balustraded parapets. Main block has 1st floor stone string and 5 12-pane sashes with rubbed brick arches. Cornice above with low parapet to central bays and 6-pane sashes in attics with cornice and short parapet above. N, entrance front, has to centre 3 bays stone single storey porte-cochere of 4 fluted Ionic columns. Hair block has double doors and large 12-pane sashes while wings have same arched windows. Inside behind porch hall with strict classical marble fireplace. Straight ahead and modillioned cornice with austere rosette. To right is top-lit full height staircase with fluted cast-iron balustrades with foliage decoration and moulded mahogany handrail. Modillioned cornice below landing and on ceiling. 3 main rooms on garden front damaged by fire 1970, but restored. Roof behind staircase survived best with 5-panel ceiling with strips of rosettes between, small scale cornice and arcanthus frieze. Austere central rosette. Huge mid C19 French Empire mirror and massive classical fireplace with brass inlaid hob grate. All doors mahogany with 6-panels with only roll moulding between.

Listing NGR: SU5252331498