Babington House

KILMERSDON CP ST75SW 6/141 11.3.68

BABINGTON Babington House

GV II*

Country House in landscaped grounds. Circa 1705 for Henry Mompesson; altered and extended, dated on rainwater head:- "l790", for Captain Charles Knatchbull, possibly by John Pinch, further C19 work. Coursed and squared rubble, freestone dressings, plinth, lintel band, rusticated alternating quoins, dentil cornice, plain parapet with a coping, hipped concrete tile roof, some flat-roofed dormers with sash windows to returns, ashlar stacks. Roughly rectangular on plan, with a central light-well, north front with bow. Symmetrical early Georgian front. Basement, 2 storeys and attic, 7 bays, 12-pane sash windows in moulded architraves, to ground floor with cornice drips. Central door opening with bolection moulded architrave, semi-circular stone shell hood on brackets with enrichment; three-quarter glazed door. Large 2-storey, 3 window bow to north front, 12-pane sash windows. Seven-bay south front, entrance projects with a Gothick door opening. Single storey service wing at rear. Interior with important features; hall with ceiling with ornamental plasterwork, stair-case with turned and twisted balusters, dado panelling, doors in bolection moulded surrounds; dining room with ornamental plasterwork, doorcases and chimneypiece; first floor drawing room also richly decorated; further features including chimneypieces, ornamental plasterwork, panelling and re-used medieval glass. It is believed that the building stands on C17 foundations. (Country Life, 16 April 1943).

Listing NGR: ST7043651057