Description

FONTHILL GIFFORD FONTHILL PARK
ST 93 SW (north side)

1/105 The Georgian Boathouse
6.1.66

GV II*

Boathouse or water temple. Mid C18. Limestone ashlar, vaulted
roof covered in earth. Plan represents an aisled 'basilica' with
transepts and apsidal west end, the wet dock being the 'nave' of 3
bays and 'crossing' and the walkways being the 'aisles', although
the latter are now under water. Only entrance is from the lake,
partly collapsed, with three semi-circular arches on square piers
with foliage-carved capitals. Interior has barrel-vaulted 'nave'
and 'aisles' on square piers with vermiculated capitals and
pilasters, semi-circular niche in wall to each bay, 'crossing' is
oval wet dock with domed ceiling and aisles carried round the
curved walls, apsed west end with partly collapsed west wall with
some rustic stonework. Probably part of Alderman William
Beckford's building and landscape work in Fonthill Park between
1740 and 1755, associated with Fonthill Splendens.
(J. Harris, Fonthill, Wiltshire in Country Life, 24th November
1966; engraving in John Rutter, Delineations of Fonthill, 1823)

Listing NGR: ST9342032686

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17543071

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

• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
• 
  [(Shropshire)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1958)
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas