Description

1.
5230 HAMBLE KINGS AVENUE (OFF)

Sydney Lodge
including stable
SU 40 NE 8/138 5.12.55

II*

2.
Sydney Lodge - 1789-98, by Sir John Soane. Two storeys, with basement and attic.
Almost square plan, with symmetrical but dissimilar facades; the architectural
treatment uses simple classical forms, designed with extreme refinement of
detail.
Low-pitched slate roofing, hipped at corners. Walling is in yellow brick (Flemish
bond) with flat rubbed arches. Plain stone (low) parapet; stone cornice with a
simple moulding and slight projection, above T-shaped brick modillions. Plain stone
first floor band. Plinth has an upper stone band (being the ground floor cill line)
with a single moulding, brick walling of 6 courses then a substantial stone base
which is marked at the top by a single moulding and along the ground level by
cambered openings (beneath each window) giving light to the basement, via ground
level grills. Windows are hard-wood sashes in reveals. West (entrance) front 1.1.1
windows (2 dormers above outer units) with slightly recessed centre and also
recessed corners. Ground floor windows fit within a recessed arched frame,
containing a stone band at impost level. Segmental central porch on 2 Greek Doric
columns, the entablature having simplified detail, including widely spaced
triglyphs; within is an arched doorway flanked by narrow windows.
South front of 1.3.1 windows (no dormers) again with ground floor windows in arched
recesses.
East front of 1.3.1 windows (2 dormers) with a semi-circular central projection and
recessed corners. Ground floor windows lack the arched recesses but are tall; the
centre one is a French-light opening on to a paved terrace, with steps to the
garden. The first floor level of the centrepiece has a trellis balcony. Attached
to southern wall of the facade is a Victorian conservatory.
North front of 5 windows; central dormer above narrow window, above pedimented
doorway. Partly obscured by modern accretions.
The interior is substantially original with some partitions and contains fireplaces
in white marble with Grecian ornament. The central feature is a staircase hall,
top-lit, again retaining its architectural detailing.
To the north is the stable block, with a symmetrical 2-storeyed unit at the northern
end of the court, having a small domed open cupola above a square clock tower. The
single-storeyed (west) side wing embodies a bold coupled chimney stack with a
central arched opening. Extremely simple form is presented in refined proportion,
but the block is not complete and has recent additions.
The house is virtually unaltered and a fine example of Soane's expression of the
classical theme, using a simplified system of details with extreme refinement.

Listing NGR: SU4737206682

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17533614

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)