Description

KIMBOLTON CASTLE GREEN
TL 095675
(EAST SIDE)
6/7 KIMBOLTON SCHOOL
24.10.51 (FORMERLY LISTED
AS KIMBOLTON CASTLE)

GV I

Large country house, the present external appearance is
substantially due to Sir John Vanbrugh who in 1707-10 remodelled
the C16 and C17 home which had been built on a C12 moated site.
Vanbrugh was assisted by Nicholas Hawksmoor and the Clerk of
Works was William Coleman of Kimbolton. The house retains the
plan of four ranges round a courtyard. The walls are ashlar
faced in Weldon and Ketton stone and the roofs are of slate,
leaded, with chimney stacks also ashlar faced. The elevations
are symmetrically designed, each with an embattled parapet, main
cornice and rusticated angle pilasters. Lower ground floor
forms a plinth or podium with moulded upper edge at principal
floor sill height. Corner towers to north and west elevations.
Fenestration of hung sashes with glazing bars in segmental heads
and raised moulded architraves. West front. Of two storeys and
lower ground floor with three storeys to corner towers. Main
range of twelve window bays including two slightly projecting
centre bays. Two bays each to towers. Late C17 central
carriageway entry. Semi-circular headed arch with keyblock
carved with Montagu crest. Panelled double doors. Two C18 lead
rainwater heads and downpipes to main range. South front. Two
storeys and lower ground floor. Of nine bays, including three
slightly projecting centre bays. Central entry approached by
double staircase enclosed by wrought iron balustrade
incorporating monogram in centre between piers on rusticated
bases. Semi-circular headed arch in rusticated surround to
lower ground floor below staircase. Doorcase of engaged Doric
columns with entablature. Half-glazed double doors. Two, fine
late C17 rainwater heads, downpipes and straps. East front.
Two storeys and lower ground floor. Projecting portico
approached by flight of stone steps, segmental in plan, flanked
by curving balustrades with moulded rails. Roman Doric portico
of three bays divided by giant columns and flanked by two
pilastered bays with round headed niches in two tiers. Interior
of portico has central, tall round headed recess with similar
arch to doorway to principal floor. The portico and steps have
been attributed to Alessandro Galilei (1691-1737).
North front. Originally of three storeys with projecting corner
towers, fourth floor added to main range. Five bays to main
range and two bays to each tower. Five bay loggia at ground
floor with end bays blocked. Moulded eliptical arches carried
on rusticated piers. Courtyard. Late C17 and attributed to
Henry Bell (1653-1717). Of fine, gauged and rubbed red brick,
repaired, with stone dressings. Modillion eaves cornice with
enriched soffit. Ranges of hung sashes with glazing bars in
moulded stone architraves with square heads. Keyblocks carved
with heraldic devices of Montagu family and flanked by acanthus
scroll ornament. East wall in five bays divided by Corinthian
pilasters with entry in centre bay approached by stone staircase
flanked by fine original wrought iron balustrade. Doorcase of
engaged Ionic columns with entablature and segmental pediment
with Montagu crest to tympanum. The pediment is surmounted by a
full achievement of Montagu coat of arms. Around the courtyard
are eight fine late C17 rainwater heads, downpipes and straps.
Interior. The plan and decoration of the suites of rooms on the
principal and first floors remain substantially intact from the
late C17 and early C18. Of particular importance is the
panelling in the chapel, main staircase, saloon and Great or
White Hall. The wall painting in the Queen's Room or boudoir
and on the main stair- case are fine examples of the work of
Pellegrini. Other examples of his work are in the chapel and in
the Great or White Hall. The over-door paintings in the east
range are 1736-38 and by William Jones. There are a number of
original fireplace surrounds, with the one in the saloon being
particularly outstanding. In the north range, first floor there
is a late C18 T-plan library and in the south range also at
first floor three early C17 two-light casements with ovolo
mullions and leaded lights. In the south range, lower ground
floor part of the early C16 rubblestone wall with original
window and door openings is visible. Kimbolton Castle was
acquired by Sir John Wingfield in c.1525. Queen Katherine of
Aragon resided here from 1534 to her death in 1536. In c.1615
it was bought by Sir Henry Montagu, later first Earl of
Manchester and it remained a family seat of the Earls and Dukes
of Manchester until 1950 when it was sold to Kimbolton School.
Huntingdon RO, Manchester Papers.
VCH (Hunts) Vol.III, p77. RCHM (Hunts) item 2, p170.
Pevsner: Buildings of England, p276.
P.R. Burkett: Kimbolton Castle (published by Kimbolton School).
M. Archdale: Country Life, Vol.CXL 1966.

Listing NGR: TL1006867603

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Kimbolton School at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q6410016

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

• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)