Description

CORFE CASTLE ENCOMBE
SY 94 78
9/87
Encombe House
20.11.59
GV II*
Country House in grounds. Core probably C17, remodelled and enlarged between 1740
and 1770 for John Pitt. Architect unknown, but style reminiscent of Vanbrugh. Some
internal remodelling after a fire in 1811, contractor William Bushrod of Weymouth.
Further alterations and enlargement c1870 by Salvin for 3rd Earl of Eldon, including
removal of vain entrance from south to north front. Ashlar stone walls, hipped
slate roofs with parapets, ashlar stacks with moulded caps,central multiple stack
with central arch. Irregular U-shaped plan. 2 storeys and attics. Main south
(original entrance) front has central range with projecting wings each end. Plat
band at first floor level, moulded cornice above first floor windows, parapet with
recessed panels, moulded coping and ball finials. In centre section of main range,
original door replaced by sash, framed by Tuscan columns and entablature. This
flanked by 2 sashes with blank tympana over, with moulded arches, and imposts
continued as string courses. 3 sashes on first floor. In attic, in centre, a
raised pedimented dormer rising from parapet, with round-headed sash - parapet
swept up to this. Each side of the central section, in main range, a 5-bay colonnade
with Tuscan columns and entablature; these now glazed. First floor above these set
back, with 2 sashes in each section. Projecting wings each end each have a slightly
projecting inner section roofed at right angles to main range. One sash on each
floor, those on ground floor with tympana and mouldings as described above. Outer
sections, roofed parallel to main range, each have a central part-glazed round-headed
door. 2 sashes, on ground floor, 3 on first floor. C19 service range at left end,
set back in line with centre range of main building. Internally, Morning Room
retains C18 ornamental panelled ceiling with central oval panel. Several late C18 -
early C19 marble fireplace surrounds. Other interior features mainly c1870 - Salvin,
including cut string stair in C18 style. (RCHM, Monument 11. Dorset. Vol. II.
Country Life, issues of Jan 24 and 31, 1963).

Listing NGR: SY9445378571

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Encombe House at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17540887

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

• 
  Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
• 
  Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)