double ditch and vallum, with entrances towards the east and west: it
occupies the entire ridge of a hill, and from the precipitous nature of
the ground on all sides, must have been of considerable strength. The
area within the outer ditch embraces an extent of seven acres, and its
circuit is upwards of three furlongs. Near this entrenchment rises the
Stour river, contiguous to the springs of which the ground ascends,
rising westward to the summit of a considerable eminence, called King’s
Settle, on which stands a lofty tower, built in honour of Alfred the
Great, by Henry Hoare, Esq. grandfather to the present proprietor of
Stour Head. Its form is triangular, with round towers at each corner,
and it is one hundred and sixty feet high: a flight of steps on the
inside leads to the top, which commands a most extensive and richly
diversified prospect. Over the entrance is a statue of the Saxon Prince,
with a tablet underneath, bearing the following inscription: “=Alfred
the Great=, A. D. 879, on this summit erected his standard against
Danish Invaders. To him we owe the origin of Juries, and the Creation of
a Naval Force. Alfred, the light of a benighted Age, was a Philosopher
and a Christian, the Father of his People, and Founder of the English
Monarchy and Liberties.” Westward of this tower is an immense tumulus,
denominated Jack’s Castle, which, when opened, was found to contain some
burnt bones, with a small lance head of brass, and an axe, made of
Sienite stone. The latter in a very perfect state.
=Stover House=, 118.
=Stratton Park=, 76.
=Streatham Park=, 52, late Mrs. Piozzi.
Stretfield, R. T. Esq. 58. (_see the Rocks_)
=Sulhampsted House=, 178.
Sullivan, Right Hon. John, 175. (_see Richings Lodge_)
=Sutton Place=, 26, the seat of J. W. Weston, Esq. This structure, which
was built about the year 1530, is composed of brick, finished with a
double sculptured plat band of a yellowish brick, running round the top,
with coins and window cases of the same; and, according to the style of
the time in which it was built, is a handsome building. The form is
quadrangular, encompassing an area of near eighty feet square; the
principal entrance being by a gateway, having a lofty hexagonal turret
at each angle, with coins of the yellow brick above mentioned,
alternately charged with R. W. and a Tun, being a quaint device for the
name of the builder, R. Weston. The north side of this edifice is
entirely occupied by a hall, 50 feet long, 25 wide, and 31 high. The
present owner has made great improvements in the house and grounds.
T.
=Tadworth Court=, 47.
Talbot, R. Esq. 3. (_see Stone Castle_)
Talbot, Sir C. H. 63. (_see Chart Park_)
=Tangier=, 99.
Templar, ---- Esq. 118. (_see Stover House_)
Temple, Earl, 84. (_see Avington Park_)
Tessier, L. Esq. 62. (_see Woodcott Park_)
=Thanks=, 123.
Thiselthwayt, ---- Esq. 214. (_see Southwick Park_)
=Thorn Croft=, 62.
Thornton, Col. 185. (_see Spy Park_)
Thoyts, ---- Esq. 178. (_see Sulhampstead House_)
=Tilehurst Place=, 178.
=Tilgate House=, 49.
=Tilney Hall=, 74.
Tinison, ---- Esq. 81. (_see Moor Park_)
=Tortington House=, 217.
Townsend, Henry Hare, Esq. 27. (_see Busbridge Park_)
Tregrehan, 127.
Trelawny, Capt. 124. (_see Coldrinick_)
=Trewithan=, 128, the seat of Sir Christopher Hawkins. The mansion is
spacious, and advantageously situated on elevated ground, commanding
some very extensive views.
Tucker, ---- Esq. 113. (_see Coryton House_)
Turner, ---- Esq. 214. (_see Bedhampton Place_)
=Twyford Lodge=, 78.
U.
=Ugbrook House=, 118, the seat of Lord Clifford. This mansion is
situated on the declivity of an eminence: its form is quadrangular, with
two fronts and four towers, with battlements, and it is rough casted.
The apartments are spacious, elegant, and most superbly decorated,
assisted by a valuable collection of pictures. The library contains an
ample and choice collection of ancient and modern books. The grounds
surrounding this mansion are upwards of seven miles in circumference,
containing every variety of object that constitute beautiful scenery,
happily blended, and forming one of the most enchanting spots
imaginable. On an eminence, in these grounds, is the remains of a Danish
encampment, of an eliptic shape, surrounded with a trench, and overhung
with majestic oaks, from whence the most noble and extensive prospects
are obtained. To attempt a particular description of the internal
beauties of this demesne, would, from the limits of our work, be
absolutely impossible.
=Upland House=, 222.
=Upper Gatton House=, 47, is a handsome mansion, standing on a hill,
surrounded by a park of about 100 acres.
=Upton House=, 220.
Uxbridge, Earl of, 140. (_see Stalbridge Park_) (_see Marquis of
Anglesea_)
V.
=Vale Lodge=, 62.
=Verst=, 112.
W.
Waddington, ---- Esq. 213. (_see Cold Harbour_)
Walcot, ---- Esq. 94.
Wales, H. R. H. the Princess Charlotte of, and H. S. H. the Prince of
Saxe-Cobourg, 25. (_see Claremont Park_)
Walker, ---- Esq. 67. (_see Muntham_)
Walker, ---- Esq. 217. (_see Angmering Park_)
Walsham, ---- Esq. 62.
Ward, ---- Esq. 61. (_see Grove House_)
=Wardour Castle=, 138, the beautiful seat of the noble family of
Arundel. This magnificent mansion is situated on a gentle eminence,
surrounded by a lawn and thick woods, about a mile from the site of the
ancient castle, now only presenting a mass of ivy-crowned ruins, having
been destroyed in two sieges which it sustained in the reign of Charles
the First: the first, against a detachment of the parliament forces,
1300 strong, under Sir Edward Hungerford, with a garrison, consisting of
only 25 men, under the command of the Lady Blanch, Countess of Arundel
(daughter of the Earl of Worcester), who, bravely opposed every effort
of the enemy to obtain possession of the fortress, during a vigorous
bombardment of five days, and at length surrendered upon the most
honourable terms. It was afterwards besieged by the royal army, under
the command of the Earl of Arundel and Sir Francis Doddington. From the
injuries sustained in these sieges, the castle became uninhabitable, and
afterwards, being totally neglected, the all-defacing hand of time has
completed its destruction, leaving not sufficient now remaining to
ascertain even its extent and arrangement. The site of these ruins is
beneath a hill covered with wood, the summit of which commands some
beautiful and distant views. Approaching the new mansion by the
principal entrance to the grounds, on the road between Salisbury and
Shaftesbury, it is discovered in the bosom of a thick grove, and at
length majestically bursts upon the view. The building is composed of
free stone, consisting of a centre and two wings, projecting from the
body on the north side, in a curvilinear form. The entrance towards the
north is handsomely ornamented with pilasters and half columns, of the
Corinthian order: this entrance opens into a spacious hall, which
conducts to the rotunda stair-case, allowed to be the finest specimen of
ornamental architecture in the kingdom. The apartments are numerous,
spacious, and elegant, decorated in the most costly style, enriched with
an extensive and valuable collection of paintings, and many curious
specimens of carved work. In the west wing of the house is the Chapel,
which is most superbly and appropriately embellished. The grounds are
diversified by much inequality of surface, richly ornamented by numerous
plantations, and interspersed with several spacious sheets of water,
most tastefully and happily blended. To the south-east the ruins of the
old castle are seen, over the venerable walls of which the mantling ivy
most luxuriantly spreads its never varying foliage, presenting in the
view from the house, an object strikingly beautiful in this most
picturesque and delightful scene, which is terminated by a fine hanging
wood.
=Warren House=, 16.
Webster, Sir Godfrey, 22. (_see Battle Abbey_)
Wellesley, W. Pole Tilney Long, 74. (_see Tilney Hall_)
=Werrington House=, 152, a seat of the Duke of Northumberland. The house
is desirably situated in a well-wooded park, commanding views richly
diversified and expansive. In front of the house are two structures,
intended as architectural ornaments; one is an artificial ruined castle,
and the other a triumphal arch.
=Westbrook House=, 96.
=Westcomb Park=, 1, the seat of W. Foreman, Esq. This is an ancient
manor, and the house commands some fine prospects.
=West Grinsted Park=, 65, the seat of W. Burrell, Esq. The house is a
handsome stone building.
Westmorland, Earl of, 141. (_see Brympton House_)
Weston, J. W. Esq. 26. (_see Sutton Place_)
Whalley Smythe Gardiner, Sir James, 98. (_see Roch Court_)
=Whatcomb House=, 108.
Wheble, James, Esq. 177. (_see Woodley Lodge_)
White, ---- Esq. 85. (_see Amfield House_)
=White House=, 173.
=White Knights=, 177, the seat of the Duke of Marlborough. The house is
a plain white building, situated nearly in the centre of the grounds,
which are divided by an irregular sheet of water into pasture and arable
lands. The borders of this lake are rendered extremely beautiful, the
lawns which slope gently to its margin being adorned with groves of
trees. An avenue of fine elms leads to the gate at the entrance of the
park, from Reading. The grounds are so disposed, as at proper openings
to admit the most enchanting views of the surrounding country, which,
from this spot, is peculiarly interesting. Here nature, improved by the
hand of art, presents a most beautiful specimen of the mixture of the
agreeable with the useful.
=Whiteway=, 117.
Whitworth, Lord, 18. (_see Knowle Park_)
=Wickham Corner=, 97, 213.
=Wilbury Park=, 160, the seat of Sir C. Mallet, Bart. The house is
composed of stone, built in the reign of Queen Ann, comprising a centre
and two wings corresponding. Internal convenience appears to have been
more studied in the construction of this mansion, than external
splendor. It is well screened with wood, forming a striking contrast to
the almost steril downs of Salisbury Plain, of which this demesne once
formed a part; but by human industry and skill, it is now rendered
fertile, covered with luxuriant and flourishing plantations, and replete
with sylvan beauties.
Wilkes, ---- Esq. 55. (_see Rooksnest_)
Willes, ---- Esq. 181. (_see Hungerford Park_)
Willett, ---- Esq. 90. (_see Merley House_)
Wilmot, ---- Esq. 80. (_see Farnborough Place_)
Wilson, Lady Spencer, 1. (_see Charlton House_)
=Wilton House=, 136, 208, the seat of the Earl of Pembroke. This edifice
is a large and extensive pile, situated in a beautiful park; but from
having been erected at different periods, the styles of architecture are
very dissimilar. The present noble proprietor has considerably enlarged
and improved the mansion. The approach is through a triumphal arch,
which is surmounted by a bold equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. In
an extensive gallery, and other apartments, are deposited a choice and
valuable collection of ancient sculpture and paintings. The park is
ornamented with plantations, and through it flows a fine stream of
water, judiciously widened in places, forming beautiful lakes,
embellished with woody islands. It also possesses the advantage of
elevated ground, from whence many picturesque views are obtained.
Wiltshire, ---- Esq. 186. (_see Shockerwick_)
=Wimbledon Park=, 23, the seat of Earl Spencer. The house is a handsome
edifice, finished in 1801, advantageously situated, commanding beautiful
and extensive views. The park, which contains 1200 acres, is planted and
laid out with great taste, adorned with a sheet of water which covers
fifty acres.
Winchester, Bishop of, 81. (_see Farnham Castle_)
=Windmill Hill=, 80.
=Windsor Castle=, 175. This magnificent pile, either viewed as a
fortress, or Royal palace, can never fail to excite the most lively
interest in the spectator; advantageously situated on the summit of a
commanding hill, environed by the most luxuriant and beautifully
diversified country imaginable; through which the pellucid Thames, alike
celebrated for beauty and utility, winds its serpentine course, laving
the foot of the hill on which stands this noble palace, truly worthy to
be the residence of a British Monarch, which honourable distinction,
with little interruption, it has enjoyed since the reign of its founder,
William the Conqueror, to the present time.
In a work like this, the object of which is general information, more
than particular description, a minute detail cannot be entered into, on
a subject sufficient to form a work in itself; replete with every
variety of nature and art. The importance of Windsor Castle, as a
fortress, save in appearance, is entirely superseded, the remaining
appurtenances of which appear to be retained merely as objects of
ornament. The most remarkable part of the building is =The Keep=, or
=Round Tower=, built on a lofty artificial mount, in the centre of the
castle. The beauty and variety of the views from the summit of this
building, extending over a boundless landscape, enriched with the most
luxuriant and highly cultivated scenery, are almost indescribable.
“Heavens! what a goodly prospect spreads around,
“Of hills, and dales, and woods, and lawns, and spires,
“And glittering towns, and gilded streams, till all
“The stretching landscape into smoke decays!”
=Thomson.=
On a board placed near the summit of the tower, the names of the
following counties, which are from thence seen, are inscribed:
Middlesex, Essex, Herts, Bucks, Berks, Oxford, Wilts, Hants, Surrey,
Sussex, Kent, and Bedford. The dome of St. Paul’s is also plainly
distinguishable on a clear day.
The state apartments are magnificent, and fitted up in a superb style of
elegance. The furniture is rich; many of the ceilings are finely
painted; and a great number of pictures, by the most eminent masters,
adorn the different chambers, among which are the celebrated =Cartoons=
of Raphael.
The little park occupies the north and east sides, under the terrace of
the castle. It is about four miles in circumference: its grounds are
composed of a pleasing inequality, diversified by groupes of stately
trees, and other woody scenery, extending to the village of Datchet, and
declining towards the Thames.
=Windsor Park=, 71, denominated Great, to distinguish it from the park
contiguous to the Castle. This park is about fourteen miles in
circumference, and since its reversion to =His Majesty= (on the death of
the late Duke of Cumberland), has undergone alterations which render it
at once a scene of beauty and utility, 1400 acres being appropriated to
the purposes of experimental farming; and the remaining 2400 acres,
which together constitute the area of the whole, is laid out in the most
judicious manner possible, well stocked with deer, and comprising every
other requisite necessary to render it worthy of its royal possessor.
Towards the southern extremity of the park is a beautiful and extensive
piece of water, over which is an elegant stone bridge, which, together
with the water, considerably enlivens and adds dignity to the whole.
The royal forest, making a circuit of about 56 miles, abounds with deer,
and every other species of game, and is possessed of every attraction
for the sports of the field, which, with the manly exercises of the
chase, has been the favourite amusements of many successive Kings of
England.
=Winkton House=, 94.
Winterton, Earl of, 38. (_see Shillinglee Park_)
Wither, ---- Esq. 99. (_see Manydown_)
=Wombwell Hall=, 3, the seat of ---- Harman, Esq. The grounds
surrounding the house are most tastefully disposed, and do great credit
to Mr. Repton, the landscape gardener.
=Woodbarrow House=, 188.
Woodbridge, ---- Esq. 48.
=Woodcot Park=, 62.
=Woodlands=, 1. This mansion was erected, and the grounds laid out,
about the year 1772, by John Julius Angerstein, Esq. The front of the
building displays a handsome portico, with statues and basso-relievos at
the sides: the interior is very tastefully fitted up, and contains a
small but well chosen collection of pictures. The grounds are extremely
pleasant; the views of the river, and of the adjacent parts of Essex and
Kent, are very fine. The Botanic Garden has been recently improved by
the erection of a new green-house, &c. and now contains one of the most
extensive collections of curious plants and heaths in the kingdom.
=Woodley Lodge=, 177.
Wood, Sir Mark, 47, 54. (_see Gatton Park_)
=Woolhampton House=, 179, the seat of Lord Falmouth, is a good mansion,
standing on an elevated spot, but well screened with woods. From many
parts of the grounds belonging to this seat, a great variety of pleasing
rural scenery is presented to view. The sides of the hills are composed
of steep and bold irregularities, shelving into deep and solemn
vallies, beautifully adorned by a variety of woody scenery, intermixed
with farms and cottages, and varied by extensive prospects.
=Wool Lavington=, 39, the seat of John Sargent, Esq. the author of “The
Mine,” a poem, which has conferred on him a merited rank among the
modern sons of Genius and Taste.
Upon his marriage with the heir of the ancient families of Garton and
Orme, he rebuilt their former residence in a style of great
accommodation and elegance.
It lies at the foot of an acclivity called Duncton Hill, which, at a
very small distance from the house becoming precipitous, is closely
matted with low wood, or alternately bare and open, which harmonises
with the richly cultivated valley beneath. The view towards the north
commands the rising ground terminating with Tillington and Petworth,
when it becomes indistinct, and is lost in the weald country of Sussex.
=Wooton Court=, 9, the seat of Mrs. Bridges, is finely situated on an
eminence. The house, crowned with wood, makes a conspicuous figure to
the traveller. The grounds are picturesque, and are well varied with
hill and valley.
Worrall, ---- Esq. 63.
=Worting House=, 99.
Wray, ---- Esq. 220. (_see Upton House_)
Wyndham, ---- Esq. 96.
X.
Ximenes, Sir M. 177. (_see Bear Place_)
Z.
=Zeals House=, 164.
END OF INDEX TO THE COUNTRY SEATS.
It is obvious, from the common occurrences of human life, that in the
account of Seats, the Proprietor’s names must ever be subject to
inaccuracy; but the author can with confidence assert, that up to the
period of publication, every possible means has been adopted to obtain
the most accurate information on the subject. As in some few instances,
however, a difference will be found to occur, in the name attached to
the Seat upon the Map, and that mentioned in this Index, the latter must
be adopted as the name of the present Proprietor.
GENERAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL
INDEX
TO THE
DIRECT AND CROSS ROADS
_CONTAINED IN THIS WORK_.
COMPREHENDING ALL THE
CITIES, BOROUGHS, MARKET TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST STAGES,
AND OTHER REMARKABLE OBJECTS,
WHETHER SITUATED ON, OR CONTIGUOUS TO, THE ROAD,
WITH A DESCRIPTION OF EACH,
TOGETHER WITH
THE DISTANCE OF THE SAME FROM LONDON.
_The first Column contains the_ =Distance from London=; _then follows
the Name of the_ =Place= _and_ =County= _in which it is situate, the
Figures of the Page where it will be found, and a Description of the
same, together with the Number of Houses and Inhabitants_.
In stating the distances, the fractional parts are dropt, where they do
not amount to three quarters of a mile; where they do the quarter is
added: thus Bromley, which in the rout (page 16) appears to be nine
miles and three quarters from London, is given in the Index as ten:
where the same place occurs more than once, the difference of distance
is not noted, the first distance only being set down; but it may be
instantly seen by turning to the page.
N. B. In this Index the Cities are printed in Capitals, as BATH; the
Boroughs and Market Towns in small Capitals, as =Dorchester=; and every
other Place, or object in print, as Bagshot.