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IoE Number:
138111
Location:
HIGHCLERE CASTLE,
HIGHCLERE, BASINGSTOKE AND DEANE, HAMPSHIRE
Photographer:
N/A
Date Photographed:
N/A
Date listed:
10 January 1953
Date of last amendment:
18 May 1984
Grade
I
NOTE - The Images of England website consists of images of listed buildings based on the statutory list as it was in 2001 and does not incoporate subsequent amendments to the list. For an updated version of the statutory list you should visit our LBOnline database http://lbonline.english-heritage.org.uk/Login.aspx
SU 45 NW HIGHCLERE HIGHCLERE PARK
6/5
10.1.53 Highclere Castle
(formerly listed as
Highclere Castle with
remains of Old Church)
I
A plain C18, 3-storeyed mansion arranged round a central top-lit hall, but with the
exterior refaced as Elisabethan elevations in the style of Wollaton by Sir Charles
Barry in 1839-42; the addition of corner turrets and an off-centre tower causes a
resemblance to the Palace of Westminster (the most famous of Barry's designs). On the
old brick core, and incorporating the older fenestration pattern, the Bath stone
ashlar exterior is presented in 3 symmetrical elevations, of 3 storeys with a fourth
storey for the corner turrets and the north and south centrepieces. The north
(entrance) front has 1.3.3.3.1 windows. The pierced parapet has strapwork and
pinnacles; and each storey is an Order of pilasters applied to the turrets and
centrepieces, ascending as Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite, with pilasters
coupled on each side of the centre, and a pedestal stage containing panels. The
windows have mullions and transoms, with narrow lights between panels in the turrets,
the wider spacing of the sides lacking pilasters but with the frames set in raised
panels. The central doorway has a shield above the Doric frame. The turrets are set
forward a little and rise higher than the central attic stages. This reticulate
elevation pattern is repeated on the south front, without the doorway. The east
elevation is varied by a recessed centrepiece (and a rythm of I.I niche 1.3.1 niche
1.1 windows) with the niche unit raised as a lesser turret. The tower rises as a tall
2 storeys above the roof line, with a more elaborate treatment of the Orderly design;
it appears central to the east elevation but is offset westwards to the north and
south elevations. The west wing is attached as a lower Tudor brick mansion, with
gables and pepperpot turrets, having stone features; it is masked by landscaping. The
main interiors demonstrate elaborate essays in different styles. There is a Gothic
(Early English) entrance hall with stone quadripartite vaulting, and coloured marble
enrichment (by Butterfield) on clustered columns and floor. The main hall (by Thomas
Allom 1862) has a generally Pependicular style, with a rich surface decoration,
including C16 tapestries above Cordoba leather panels. The staircase is Gothic,
occupying the large space below the tower, and leading to an arcaded corridor
surrounding the upper part of the hall. The library has a classical finish, the Music
Room has a mixture of C18 decoration (probably reconstituted from other parts of the
house), the Drawing Roomis Roccoco of circa 1900.