Building record 46/2/1 - Aynhoe Park

Country house constructed in 1662 to designs by Edward Marshall, incoporating an earlier house which was damaged by fire in 1645. The house was partly rebuilt during the early 18th century in the Baroque style, possibly to designs by Thomas Archer and in 1800-04 to designs by John Soane. Now converted into flats.

{1} Country house now flats. Early C17. Damaged by fire 1645. Remodelled for the Cartwright family c.1665 by Edward Marshall; 1707-14, probably by Thomas Archer; and in 1800-5 by Sir John Soane. Main block, front rendered brick and limestone ashlar dressings. Rear and wings, limestone ashlar. U-plan with stables and offices at right angles to central block and linked to it by archways. North front of main block remodelled 1707-14 and 1800-5. 3 storeys; 11 bays, the 5 centre bays project under a pediment. Central doorway with rusticated pilaster and large triple keystone breaking into the entablature. C20 door. 15-pane sash windows with straight keystoned heads and moulded frames, except those in 5 centre bays of first floor, which have pediments. Balustraded parapet and pediment added by Soane. Former stables on east side of courtyard, are of 1707-14 probably by Archer. 2 storeys; 11 bays with pedimented 5 bay centre defined by chamfered quoins. Central doorway (now window) has arched head, diagonally set pilasters and concave entablature broken by a large keystone. 32-pane sash windows on ground floor and in 5 central bays on first floor, 12-pane sash windows in outer bays of first floor. Blind lunette in pediment. Former service wing on west side courtyard is similar. Both wings are linked to central block by triumphal arches, 1800-5 by Soane. One storey and attic, 3 bays with Tuscan half columns flanking the arch and arched niches in outer bays. Attic with incised decoration. Centre arch of the western archway is glazed and formed housekeeper's room. The south front was main entrance in C17 and is shown in a drawing of 1683 by James Fish. Some details of this date remain. It was remodelled 1707-14. 3 storeys; 11 bays, the 5 central bays defined by chamfered quoins and bracketed pediment. Central doorway (now window) has Tuscan half columns and entablature with double keystone. Arched central window on first floor flanked by Corinthian columns. Above it is blank stone plaque and pediment framed by heads and swags of fruit. Other windows are 15-pane sash with straight keystoned heads, except in 5 centre bays on ground and first floor which have pediments. Flanking wings containing library to left and orangery to right added 1707-14 and heightened 1800-5. Each 2 storeys; 7 bays with arched sash windows on ground floor divided by coupled pilasters, the capitals with inward turning volutes. First- floor window frames have incised Grecian decoration by Soane. 2-bay pediment on west side library by Soane. Interior: Combines work by Archer and Soane. Entrance hall has early C18 screen of 2 pairs of fluted Doric columns on each side and C20 alabaster fireplace. East staircase early C18, open well, with 3 balusters to each tread, twisted, fluted and twisted. The newel posts are fluted Corinthian columns and the tread ends carved with scrolls. Walls have 4 pairs of unfluted Ionic columns added by Soane who planned a more thorough re-modelling of the staircase. West staircase early C19 by Soane, open well with glazed dome and iron balustrade. Garden Hall in centre of south front remodelled by Soane with shallow apsidal ends and groin vault. Early C19 fire- place of grey and white marble with oval figure reliefs linked by swags. French Drawing Room to east has mid C19 rococo revival fireplace in red marble with ormolu decoration. The dining room to the west has at one end 2 unfluted Ionic columns screening a serving alcove with apsidal ends, each with an early C19 mahogany buffet. The library has an early C19 cornice of small Gothic fans and a marble fireplace in the style of Soane with fluted sides and frieze. The "Cold Bathroom" at the east end of main block on ground floor, by Soane (re-modelled 1952) has a Greek cross plan with a groin vault on swelling Tuscan columns. Interior of upper floors not inspected. Park, reputedly landscaped by Capability Brown. (H. Colvin, Biographical Dictionary of English Architects, 1978 edition, pp.69, 539 and 770; G. Nares, Aynhoe Park; Country Life 2nd, 9th and 16th July 1953, pp.42, 122, 202).

{4} Monthly statement of accounts of Thomas Cartwright and Mary Catherine Cartwright.

{5} Aynho Park House was built about 1662 on the site of an earlier house, perhaps incorporating part of it. The previous house was burnt down in 1645 by the Royalists. Considerable rebuilding was carriedout in the early 18th century and 1800-04. The house is in good condition and is now used as flats.

{6} Country house. Early 17th century. Damaged by fire 1645. Remodelled for the Cartwright family c. 1665 by Edward Marshall; 1707-14, probably by Thomas Archer; and in 1800-5 by Sir John Soane. Main block, Rear and wings.U-plan with stables at right angle to central block and linked to it by archways. North front of main block remodelled 1707-14 and 1800-5. 3 storeys; 11 bays. Both wings are linked to central block by triumphal arches, 1800-5 by Soane.Flanking wings containing library to left and orangery to right added 1707-14. and heightened 1800-5. Garden Hall in centre remodelled by Soane.

{7} Clerestory to orangery built by Sir John Soane.

{9} Three undated photos, photo dated Jan 1961, also photo dated 25/11/93;

{13} The old manor house was burnt by Royalists in 1645. The present mansion was probably erected on the same site to the north of the park. Deer park, enlarged and ornamented with extensive plantations by present proprietor William Ralph Cartwright MP; owns 2245 acres, 700 of which are old demesne land, the rest enclosed by Act of Parliament of 1792

{15}Land owned by Cartwrights 1615-1959. House altered by T. Archer in 1707-14.

{17}= C(A) 6264. By James Fish of Warwick. Drawing of Aynho House "a rude draught" in and wash 11" x 11".=C(A) 6265. Drawing of Aynho House by James Fish. Ink with measurements.= C(A) 6266. Drawing of Aynho House, pen and wash by James Fish. Shows house, side buildings, gardens and gates.

{18} Yearly bundles of monthly estate accounts 1767-71.

{19} Appears Aynho let to David Fullerton of Rendcombe Park 1863. Renewed 1867, 1872, 1875, and to Paul Hibbot 1876.

{20} Number of agreements survive for rebuilding great house after Civil War; including ornamental columns for garden / garden gates.

{22} Map showing small line of trees only.

{28} A watching brief was undertaken in 2021 during the construction of a kitchen extension and provision of gas service connection. The investigation recorded the remains of a stone surface beneath the current driveway and former stable yard and is probably associated with Sir John Soane's early 19th century repositioning of the main entrance. Evidence of post-medieval drainage, a wall and a pit were also found. No evidence of the 17th century house was found.

{30} The house in good condition is now used as flats by the Mutual Household Association. See photographs. The park is stone walled and there is no evidence of an early park.

{31} According to a nameboard, now known as Aynho Park House. Otherwise no change to the report of 10/02/70.

{33} Soane's most visible work at Aynhoe, other than the triumphal arches, was the addition of another floor to the south or garden front above the library. For the sake of symmetry, the orangery (labelled greenhouse in Soane's drawings) was made double height. Internally, the new work was mostly in the south-west part of the house.

{?} 100 acres warren; Shakerly Marmyon sold manor to Richard Cartwright in 1616

{?} William Cartwright MP was a client of Capability Brown in 1760-3. The gardens near the house were originally laid out in circa 1714. The park is now in separate ownership and it farmed. There is no lake.

{?} The pleasure grounds were for walking rather than a park for riding; fine specimen trees; rose garden present since early C18th; C17th yew walk; avenue of limes; Cartwrights owned house between 1615-1959; the house was altered between 1707-14 by Thomas Archer; garden alterations attributed to Guillan; William Cartwright’s wife was Cotterell Dormer from Rousham, Oxon; Repton in 1798 apologised for bill when so little work was done.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 12/37 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F01 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Jenkins S., 2003, England's Thousand Best Houses, p.538 (unchecked) (Extract). SNN104722.

<4> 1772, ACCOUNTS BOOK, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN42431.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP53SW13 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.98 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<7> BURT J., MISC. DOCUMENTS, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN42440.

<8> Colvin H., 1995, A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects (1660-1840), p. 77, 628, 641, 910 (Book). SNN54451.

<9> Photographs of buildings in Aynho (Photographs). SNN111880.

<10> Montagu Evans LLP, 2019, Aynho Park: Heritage Statement (Report). SNN112127.

<12> Turner R., 1985, Capability Brown and The Eighteenth Century English Landscape, p.173 (unchecked) (Book). SNN42509.

<12> RCHME, 1993, National Archaeological Record Recording Form, (checked) (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN46081.

<13> Baker G., 1822-36, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.542 (unchecked) (Book). SNN10400.

<14> Heward J.; Taylor R., 1996, The Country Houses of Northamptonshire, p.72-79 (part checked) (Book). SNN41757.

<15> Anthony J., 1979, Gardens of Britain, p.22 (unchecked) (Series). SNN34164.

<16> MCKEE H.;MCCULLOCH P., 1996, Aynhoe Park, 1696-1996, (unchecked) (Dissertation). SNN40801.

<17> FISH J, 1683, DRAWINGS, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN42406.

<18> ACCOUNTS BOOK, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN42432.

<19> MISC. DOCUMENTS, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN42433.

<20> COOPER N.J., 1984, Aynho: A Northants Village, (unchecked) (Article). SNN42457.

<21> AYNHOE PARK A SHORT HISTORY., (unchecked) (Pamphlet). SNN56399.

<22> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Map). SNN1852.

<23> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.134 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<24> Neale J.P., 1820, Views of Seats (1), (unchecked) (Series). SNN54894.

<25> Mowl T.; Hickman C., 2008, The Historic Gardens of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN106082.

<26> Dean P., 1997, John Soane’s work on Aynho House 1799-1804, (unchecked) (Article). SNN109340.

<27> Simmonds, A, 2020, Aynhoe Park: Archaeological Desk‐Based Assessment, November 2020 (Report). SNN112269.

<28> Cox, C, 2021, Aynhoe Park: Archaeological Observation, Investigation and Recording Report (Report). SNN114468.

<29> Crank, N. (Editor), 2022, South Midlands Archaeology (52), p. 71 (Journal). SNN115177.

<30> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 10-FEB-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

<31> Allanson, C D, 1976, Field Investigator's Comments, F2 CDA 05-OCT-76 (Notes). SNN112955.

<32> Historic England, Undated, AYNHO PARK HOUSE, AYNHO, BF059963 (Archive). SNN115958.

<33> Sir John Soane's Museum London, Sir John Soane's Museum Collection Online, https://collections.soane.org/ARC1256 [Accessed 17/05/2024] (Website). SNN116355.

Record last edited

Oct 24 2024 11:43AM