Full Report for Listed Buildings
The list description is not intended to be a complete inventory of what is listed: it is principally intended to aid identification. By law, the definition of a listed building includes the entire building (i) and any structure or object that is fixed to the said building and ancillary to it and (ii) any other structure or object that forms part of the land and has done so since before 1 July 1948, and was within the curtilage of the building, and ancillary to it, on the date on which said building was first included in the list, or on 1 January 1969, whichever was later.
Summary Description
Reference Number
9237
Building Number
Grade
II*
Status
Designated
Date of Designation
21/09/1962
Date of Amendment
29/04/1993
Name of Property
Downton House
Address
Location
Unitary Authority
Powys
Community
New Radnor
Town
Locality
Downton
Easting
323074
Northing
260600
Street Side
N
Location
Lies in open farmland north of the A44, 1.5km east of New Radnor.
Description
Broad Class
Domestic
Period
History
Late C18 with substantial mid-C19 additions. On an ancient manorial site. Downton formed part of the extensive Radnorshire estates of JamesáBrydges, Lord Marquis of Caernarvon, 3rd Duke of Chandos. It was purchased in 1761 by Edward Lewis of London who that year was elected MP for Radnor Borough and he was probably responsible for rebuilding the house in its present form. In 1858 it was sold to Sir George Cornewall Lewis and became the Dower House to Harpton Court. Currently owned by Sir Andrew Duff-Gordon, a branch of the same family.
Exterior
Two-storey rendered, five-bay south front with two-bay C19 additions to left including a large apsidal-ended rear wing, also a rubble service wing set back from the front elevation; further ranges are set at right angles to the rear. All hipped slate roofs, tall brick stacks. Open timber porch with flat roof. Central six-panel door with fanlight. Tall twelve-pane sashes, stone cills, the C19 ranges have larger window proportions.
Interior
Neo-classical decorative scheme throughout. Hall and landing arches with fluted colonnettes and key-blocks, plaster cornice friezes of triglyphs and rosettes, fluted architraving to doors and windows, panelled shutters and window reveals, moulded dado rail. Marble fire-surrounds with ornamental friezes, some with C18 cast-iron hob grates. Contemporary built-in glass-fronted cabinets and bookcases with Chippendale-style glazing patterns. Drawing room has ornate plaster ceiling in Adam-style, looks later in date. Stairs run axially to house at rear of hallway; plain turned newel, ramped rounded handrail, stick balusters.
Reason for designation
Cadw : Full Report for Listed Buildings [ Records 1 of 1 ]
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