Details
SK 5674 and SK 5774 WELBECK WELBECK ABBEY
MAIN DRIVE
12/192 Welbeck Abbey and
attached Picture
Gallery, Chapel
and Library.
8.2.72 (Formerly listed
as 2 items,
Welbeck Abbey and
Library and Chapel
formerly the Old
Riding School at
Welbeck Abbey)
G.V. I
Large country house. Mid C12, mid C13, early C17, some
rebuilding by Robert Smythson now largely remodelled. John
Smythson c.1623 built the riding school and stables. The latter
demolished in C18, the former now the much remodelled chapel and
library. Mid C18 Gothick alterations carried out possibly by
John James or Thomas Carter. Mid C18 garden improvements by
Francis Richards. 1775-7, east front remodelled by Carr,
subsequently largely remodelled, 1790-2 Repton carried out
improvements, moving earth to the west front of the building and
turning the ground floor into a basement. 1860-79 programme of
building for the 5th Duke, including underground rooms and
tunnels. Early 1890s, the riding school converted to library
and chapel, in the main to designs by Henry Wilson. 1900-02 work
carried out by Ernest George of George and Yates. Notably the
remodellingof the Gothick Hall, additions to the east front and
the fire damaged west front. Ashlar with some render. Moulded
copper tile roofs. Many ashlar stacks. L-plan extending via a
curved picture gallery wing to a further rectangular chapel and
library wing, former riding school extension. 14 bay, 2 storey
plus attic, over basement. Central pedimented slightly
projecting 3 bay centre, and single bay 3 storey pavilions topped
by parapets at either end. 2 storey ranges have modillion
cornice. Central doorway has ornate Baroque-style porte-cochere
with bold rustication by George. All windows glazing bar sashes,
except the 5 bays to right of central section, which have wooden
mullions and leaded casements. 2 storey, 13 bay, north front at
right angles, has glazing bar sashes throughout with some blind
openings and is topped with a balustrade. Single 3 storey tower
projects, 3rd bay from the west. Domed lantern over 7th bay from
west. South front, 17 bays, 3 storeys. Central, slightly
projecting bay has rusticated pilaster strips and is topped with
a segmental pediment, then 2 outer bays, and single slightly
projecting, 4 storey towers, beyond projecting 2 bay, 3 storey,
pavilions with pediments, rusticated pilasters and 3 bays beyond,
all surmounted by balustrade. Glazing bar sashes to most
windows. Doorway 1743 plaque and 1902 reconstruction plaque.
East front has main 2 storey plus attic and basement 14 bay
front, with off centre 3 bay, slightly projecting, 3 storey
pedimented central pavilion with 3 semi-circular rusticated
openings in ground floor, to left, 6 bays, and to right, 5 bays
all topped with parapet. Baroque-style rusticated venetian
doorway 2nd bay from north. Beyond to left, 4 bay, 3 storey
pavilion, topped with balustrade, with projecting columned
entrance loggia over rusticated base with barrel vaulted roof.
Glazing bar windows throughout. North front, very irregular with
single storey extension, topped by Gothick gable with pinnacles.
From here projects 2 storey, rendered and ashlar picture gallery
wing, with small 3 light wooden casements, linking main house to
former riding school block. At either end gabled wings with
ornate art nouveau decorative work. This block 2 storey, 15
bays, with parapet and coped gables with kneelers topped with
pair of ornate clock cupolas. Glazing bar sashes throughout. To
the rear, each side, are single coped walls with single recessed
arches and keystones on each side, terminating in vermiculated
rusticted and decorated piers, each topped with 4 orbs supporting
an obelisk. To the south are many glazed skylights to sunken
ballroom. Interior. Mid C13 vaulting and doorway in basement.
Robert Smythson fireplace decorated with strap work, ornamental
urns and brackets with Delft tiles. Bursars study with
sexpartite stone rib-vault with Cavendish and Ogle crests,
pendant boss and stone tablet with Cavendish stag, panelling as
at Bolsover. Set of C18 state rooms mostly remodelled in C19.
The Great Hall retains C18 pendant plaster vault. Mannerist
revival archway dated 1749, small Gothick room dated 1749 with
decorative plasterwork. Library with bookshelves and inglenook
alabaster fireplace by Pomeroy with decorative plaster work over
and wooden panel surround. Extraordinarily elaborate and
sumptuous marble colonnaded arts and crafts chapel with
exceedingly fine fittings. Including bronze lectern,
decoratively carved benches, Sheffield plate alter front, C17
altar piece by Honthorst, marble, brass and enamel font, marble
pulpit. Elaborate bronze entrance doors 1909 by P. Wilson.
Decorative barrel vaulted roof.
Listing NGR: SK5640274269
