Image ID: 27397

Thoresby Hall, c 1910s

Thorseby Park
Thoresby
England

Thoresby was once the home of the Duke of Kingston, followed in time by Earl Manvers, a descendent, and the Pierrepont family. The original mansion's solid substantial structure was destroyed by fire in 1745. The Duke of Kingston replaced the old house, but his brick mansion has in its turn given way to a glorious house built of Steetley stone in the Elizabethan style of architecture. By the late 20th century, the hall had stood in a dilapidated state for many years, and has since been converted to a hotel. A description given of Thoresby by Robert White in 1875, is as follows: It is built of Steetley stone, with raised quoins and dressings to windows, fair faced and deeply moulded, filled in with rock-faced Mansfield Woodhouse magnesium limestone laid in parallel courses, from the designs of A. Salvin, Esq., by Messrs. George Smith and Co., of London, under the care of Mr. Oldrieve, as clerk of the works. The former may be heartily congratulated on his beautiful and gifted design; the latter on the solid and careful manner in which that design has been carried out. Externally the principal fronts measure 180 feet on the east or principal entrance, 159 on the west, and 182 feet on the south or drawing room side; the external faces are hammer-dressed, with tooled quoins and dressings. Entering from the east, through the elaborate wrought-iron gates by Brawn and Downing, of Birmingham, crossing the court to the main doorway, and passing the porch, we stand upon the splendid encaustic tiles from Prussia, which compose the floor of the entrance hall. Two flights of steps, ten feet wide, then lead up to the great hall, 65 feet long, 3' feet wide, and 48 feet high to the apex of the open hammer beam roof. The feet of the principals rest upon richly carved corbels, with shields on which are the armorial bearings of the family. A fine double transomed bay window, 16 feet wide and 24 feet high, filled to the first transom with stained glass, containing armorial bearings, adds greatly to the effect of this noble hall. The walls are of wrought and rubbed Steetley stone, and the panelling, which is six feet high, is of light and dark oak, grown on the adjoining forest; the floor, which is also of light forest oak, is laid in a pattern, and finished with parquetrie border three feet wide, of great richness, made in Vienna. A projecting chimney piece of Steetley stone, granite columns, and marble caps, the whole being carved most elaborately by Mr. J. Daymond, jun., of London, is a most interesting feature. The grand staircase at the end of the great hall is 33 feet by 31 feet, with well-hole 16 feet by 16 feet, from which we ascend to the first landing by steps 6 feet 8 inches wide. From this landing we ascend to the different floors by steps 6 feet 6 inches wide, on alternate sides of the well-hole. The steps are of Roche Abbey stone, with rich wrought-iron railing by Caslake, of London. The walls are of wrought and rubbed Steetley stone, with vaulted ceilings of the same material over well-hole 6o feet high. The dining room, which is 40 feet by 26 feet, and 20 feet high, is handsomely panelled in walnut of two shades, the doors being en suite. It has two bay windows, looking south and cast respectively. The ceiling is of good geometric design, and an enriched frieze 1 foot 6 inches deep, containing fruit, &c., surrounds the room. The small drawing room, 20 feet by 25 feet, is hung with beautiful satin, and has an oak floor, with parquetry border 2 feet wide. The doors are framed of beautiful wainscot, with panels of Russian maple, surrounded by a margin of bird s-eye maple and satinwood mouldings. The ceiling has a pink and gold enriched centre, and a most beautiful designed frieze. The library, an important room with large octagonal bay window, is 44 feet long by 25 feet wide. Modern Elizabethan panelling in light and dark oak, with wainscot bookshelves, surround this room, and the walls are hung with red damask. The chimney-piece in this apartment is worthy of great admiration as a work of art; it is of the same date as the other fittings of the room, and is 14 feet 6 inches high, and 10 feet wide. The principal subject of the design is a scene in Sherwood Forest, magnificently carved by Robinson, of Newcastle, in Birkland oak, introducing that monarch of the forest the Major or Queen Oak, a herd of deer with a foreground of beautifully rendered fern, &c., supported on either side of the fireplace by statuettes of Robin Hood and Little John. The pillar grate is a fine piece of work in bronze and bright steel, manufactured for the purpose at a great cost. The floor is of oak, with parquetry border two feet wide, and covered with a carpet of Indian work. The ceiling, of very chaste geometric design, is, with the frieze, highly ornamented. The large drawing room is a noble apartment 53 feet by 25 feet, and worthy of the taste and wealth of its possessor. This room contains two very beautiful statuary marble chimney pieces, having figures sitting on canted angles representing the Seasons. The grates and fenders are of burnished steel, with ormolu mouldings and figures intended to represent the happiness of an English fireside. The walls are hung with light blue satin damask, with graceful silver grey figures thereon, the frieze above being white and gold. The panelled ceiling is coffered, and ornamented over all in pale salmon and light blue, with white and gold enrichments. The large bay windows look south and west. The oak floor with its parquetry border, the rich walnut-wood framing, bird s-eye maple panels, Russian maple margins, satin wood mouldings, and splendid Indian carpet, all combine to form a picture worthy of our highest admiration. Leaving the billiard-room, 20 feet by 18 feet 6 inches, with its light and dark forest oak fittings, we come to Lady Manvers boudoir, which is 20 feet by 19 feet, with a bay window looking towards the west. The ceiling is remarkably rich, as also are the walls, which are panelled, having richly carved frames, filled with Aubuseen tapestry. The chimney-piece in this room is from a palace in Milan, and is elaborately carved in statuary marble. Three Cupids on each side holding fish, birds, &c., form the principal feature in the composition, which is one of great merit, and together with the other decorations makes this room well worthy of attention. The rest of the mansion is carried out in the same complete and splendid style as those we have noticed. On the first chamber floor there are twenty-nine rooms, with beautifully polished red pine woodwork, enriched ceilings, and French papered walls. Of bachelors rooms there are eleven; of servants bedrooms fourteen, and a mezzanine floor of ten bedrooms and bath room for the ladies maids. The gas-fittings throughout are hammered and burnished work, by Brawn and Downing, of Birmingham. A lift for coals and luggage, and a fire main, with water at high pressure, and all necessary hose, &c., are provided on each story. The terrace is tastefully laid out with ornamental flower beds, having an octagonal fountain 30 feet in diameter in the centre, with four smaller ones round it, while gazebos of octagonal form, surmounted by Elizabethan perforated tracery, appropriately close the vista at either end. The gardens are to the east of the mansion, and comprise eight and a half acres of ground, five and a half of which are enclosed by brick walls, the remainder, which is in slips, is on the east, north, and west sides, and an orchard on the north. Two fine broad walks intersect the kitchen garden, 550 feet long, which, from north to south, passes out through a pair of very splendid iron gates into the park. The lofty conservatory occupies a central position in the long range of well stocked forcing houses, of which there are about twenty, and are about 560 feet in length. (Information from www.nottshistory.org.uk)

Date: 1900 - 1920

Organisation Reference: NCCW002859

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