Description

TF 7928 HOUGHTON HOUGHTON PARK

10/23 The Square.

G.V. I

Stable courtyard, known as the Square. C.1730, attributable to William Kent,
but perhaps supervised by Thomas Ripley architect. For Sir Robert Walpole,
later 1st Earl of Orford. Palladian. Largely coursed carstone, some brick
on south and west facades, brick with carstone dressings to interior courtyard.
Smut pantiles and slates, 15 bay east and west and 13 bay north and south
ranges, built around a courtyard. East and west facades have 3 bay centre-
pieces, 6 bay north and south ranges. Single bay angle towers. Centre bay
has raised chamfered rusticated keyed arch, boarded door. 2 flanking bays
having single boarded doors under arches with fixed casement lunette heads.
Each bay has single 2-light casements. Raised chamfered rusticated quoins
to central bay and flanking bay angles. Centre has third storey with Diocletian
window. Flanking bays have lean-to half pediments, clasping central full
pediment, Palladio's Rendentore arrangements. 6 north and south bays have
ground floor blank bays with piers with simple bases and capitals, fixed and
opening casements in arches above. 6 north and south 2-light casements above.
End bay forms angle towers with recessed blank bays with casements in arches,
2-light casements above. Raised and chamfered angle quoins. Octagonal third
storey turrets with round arched oculuses, cornice, and octagonal slated roofs
with large scale acorn finials. 4 roundels on pedestals at parapet level,
a direct Palladio quotation. Whole facade articulated with ground level plinth
first floor platband and eaves modillion cornice. West range has in addition
carved and brick blank arches to ground floor. Coat of arms with swags in
central pediment. Late C17 from earlier house with quarterings of Sir Robert
Walpole's grandfather. 4 stacks to each ridge. North facade has blank arches
with lunettes. Single bay centrepiece with rusticated, keyed open arch, third
floor Diocletian window and pediment. South facade has brick blank arches
to ground floor. 2 stacks to each ridge. Entrance arches have 2 leaf
contemporary iron gates. Courtyard facades: 13 bay east and west, and 9 north
and south, repeat details of outer facades. Brick with carstone plinths,
platbands and modillion cornices and pediments. Contemporary 2 leaf cast iron
gates with speared dog and upper rails fixed against inner north and south
entrances. Interior: ground floor with brick quadripartite vaults. At north
east C18 stalls with oak Doric columns, with roundels marking divisions,
rectangular oak piers supporting vaults. C19 loose boxes. West range largely
converted to garages c.1900. See Isaac Ware Plans, Elevations and Sections
of Houghton. (1735) 1750 edition pls. 33, 34. Mrs Herbert Jones Houghton in
the Brake (Norwich 1878).

Listing NGR: TF7904728600

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17536335

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

• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)