Capesthorne Hall, Siddington
Introduction
The photograph on this page of Capesthorne Hall, Siddington by Stephen Richards as part of the Geograph project.
The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
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Capesthorne Hall, Siddington
Image: © Stephen Richards Taken: 16 Jul 2003
A bravura Victorian display. The main block is distinguished by its turrets and gables and huge wings extend either side. But peer closer and, Pevsner cautions, "it is all front ... a grand concept executed lamely". Still, as lamely-executed grand concepts go, I've seen worse. Its complicated building history has proved fruitful for a succession of architects - William Smith built the wings c1719 (since remodelled) for John Ward, his brother Francis Smith (of Warwick) built a house in the middle c1732-34, Edward Blore gave it a Jacobean overcoat, 1837-39, and Anthony Salvin had to rebuild it, 1865-68, after a disastrous fire. Grade II* listed. The house is privately owned but regularly open to the public.
Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Image Location
Latitude
53.251519
Longitude
-2.240662