Details
NORTH YORKSHIRE
SELBY
5342
SE 62 SW CARLTON CARLTON PARK
9/3 Carlton Towers
17.11.66
GV I
Country house. Early C17 range with dated architrave of 1614 probably by
John Smythson; C18 wing of c1740 for Nicholas Stapleton and c1770 by Thomas
Atkinson; encased and incorporated into house of 1873-5 by Edward Welby Pugin with interior of 1875-90 by J F Bentley for Lord Beaumont. Pinkish-orange brick
with channelled cement render, ashlar dressings and concealed roof.
Approximately L-shaped on plan. Palladian, Neo-Classical and Gothic
Revival. Main range has 3-storey, 3-bay central break forward with 2-
storey, 5-bay wings and central clock tower; west range of 3 storeys and 5
bays with 3-storey tower and staircase tower, and octagonal turret. Plinth.
Entrance in angle between front and west range. Curving flight of steps
with end piers mounted by Talbots holding banners depicting the Stapleton
lion and the lion of Brienne. Double doors in Tudor-arched surround rising
to pinnacle and ornamented with foliage, coat of arms and datestone of 1875
above. To either side are pilasters with pinnacles and lancets with stained
glass. Fenestration: mainly 2- and 3-light ovolo-moulded mullion and
transom windows throughout within moulded architraves and with continuous
sill bands. Windows to first floor of main range are 3-light mullion and
transom windows with Perpendicular tracery to heads and are recessed within
Tudor-arched arcade. To west range are bands with heraldic roundels between
floors. Battlements project on ornamental rainwater-heads. 3 raised coats
of arms to embattled parapet of main range. Clock tower with foliate
columns to angles and fish-scale tiles surmounted by Talbots at angles and
inscribed with family motto MIEUX SERA. Concealed roof. Stacks concealed
within battlemented towers. To west facade of west range a re-used Jacobean
ashlar architrave has round-arched opening with keystone between pairs of
fluted pilasters with frieze and moulded cornice surmounted by coat of arms
in ornamental surround and dated 1614. Staircase tower to rear has 2-
storey, 5-light ovolo-moulded mullion and transom oriel window with
quatrefoil lights above. Interior. Rooms c1740: harp room has rococo
plasterwork ceiling; dining room has moulded cornices, arcade of fluted
Corinthian columns and 6-panel doors with moulded surrounds, pulvinated
friezes and cornices, marble chimney-pieces supported by caryatids. Rooms
c1770: drawing room has moulded cornice, panelled doors and Neo-Classical
marble fireplace. Library has Neo-Classical plaster ceiling and marble
chimney-piece. The interior by J F Bentley forms one of the most ambitious
suites of Victorian rooms in England. Outer and inner halls have stencilled
ceilings, imperial oak staircase and minstrels gallery with balustrading and
heraldic finials. Venetian drawing room has dado painted with figures from
the Merchant of Venice and chimney-piece painted with heraldic panels, Flora
and the Four Seasons by J H J Westlake; plasterwork stamped and gilded to
resemble leather. Card room has stencilled decoration to walls and ceiling.
Picture gallery has panelling to dado and ceiling, fireplace with ties by
William de Morgan. Chapel to basement has altar-piece incorporating C15
Flemish carved wood panels of the beheading of St John the Baptist. Ante-
room has re-used oak panelling with Renaissance motifs. Other rooms contain
similar stained ceilings, panelled doors, fireplace etc with furniture and
fittings designed by Bentley. Late C19 carving by J Erskine Knox. Stained
glass by Lavers, Barrand and Westlake. Fenders and grates by Longden and
Co. J M Robinson, Carlton Towers; M.Girouard, The Victorian Country House,
1971, pp 150-154; N Pevsner, Yorkshire, The West Riding, 1979 p 158;
M Girouard, 'Carlton Towers, Yorkshire, I, II, III', Country Life, 26 Jan
1967, pp 176-180; 2 Feb 1967, pp 230-3; 9 Feb 1967, pp 280-3.
Listing NGR: SE6497623798
