Building record 4341/2/1 - Kelmarsh Hall

An Anglo-Palladian country house built in 1727-32 by James Gibbs for William Hanbury. Alterations were made during the 19th century and included construction of the ballroom in 1828, and a range of Victorian additions. Some Victorian work was demolished in 1956 when Sir Albert Richardson, restored the building to its original early 18th century appearance. The house is constructed of red brick with ashlar dressings with a mansard roof. It is of seven bays and two storeys with two linked pavilions which curve around each side of the entrance forecourt known as the Bull Ring. The nearby late 18th century orangery actually originally stood at Brixworth Hall and was moved to Kelmarsh during the 20th century.

{1} Country House. c.1727-32. By James Gibbs for William Hanbury, altered 1956 by Sir Albert Richardson. Red brick with ashlar dressings. Double pile plan with linked pavilions. Main facade: Centre of two storeys with basement and attic, seven window range, centre three bays breaking forward with rectangular pediment over. Wide flight of steps up to central double doors under fanlight with glazing bars in geometrical pattern. Ashlar doorcase has attached fluted Corinthian columns supporting a plain entablature with segmental pediment over. Tall sash windows at first floor reducing at first floor; all with glazing bars and moulded stone architraves. Those at ground floor have eared architraves with alternate segmental and triangular pediments over. Continuous ashlar cornice with a brick parapet above flanking bays. The centre sections of the parapets are replaced with balustrading. Mansard roof has dormers behind the parapet and brick stacks at the ridge. The centre is linked to the flanking pavilions by single-storey quadrants having central doors with pediments over flanked by sash windows with gauged brick heads. Glazing bars to the right pavilion ground floor right are original C18. Ashlar pilasters between each, opening each surmounted by a ball finial with a plain parapet and cornice below. The pavilions are of two storeys with attic. Each of five window range. The central entrances have moulded stone architraves with pediments over. Sash windows, reducing at first floor have glazing bars and gauged brick heads. Ashlar cornices with brick parapets over. Gambrel roofs; the right pavilion having brick stacks at the ridge. The inside return elevations of the pavilions are similar. Garden facade similar of seven window range with centre three bays breaking forward with open rectangular pediment over. Tall sashes with glazing bars at ground floor, reducing at first floor with alternate segmental and triangular pediments over. The centre sash has a broad flight of stone steps. There is an armorial crest in the centre of the pediment. Single storey, four bay extension to left is C19 ballroom. End three bays breaking forward; all in a similar style to the main house. Facade to right reconstructed in 1956 by Sir Albert Richardson to James Gibbs' original design; when Victorian extensions removed. Stabling and walls attached to rear of left pavilion. Interior: Entrance hall, centre of main front, double height, has three bay arcade on rear wall with three sash windows to first floor corridor above. Panelled plaster work to ceiling and restrained swags to walls, reputedly by James Wyatt. Two black imitation marble bolection moulded fire surrounds. Dining Room to right of entrance has semi-circular recess at end with Adam style ceiling decoration. Chinese Room to left of entrance has C18 surround. Drawing Room, centre of west front, double height. Plaster roundels, in inner section and plaster frieze with cherubs; probably by James Wyatt. Moulded wood doorcases. The Yellow Room and the Library to right and left of the Drawing Room C18 style fireplaces and bookcases probably installed during early C20 remodelling. Staircase between the Chinese Room and Library has half landing and fine C18 wrought iron balustrade in lyre shaped units. The walls and ceiling have fine plaster work panel decoration. The Ballroom to the right of the Yellow Room is C19 was probably remodelled early C20. Several first-floor rooms have C18 marble fire surrounds.

{2} Country house built c.1727-32 by James Gibbs for William Hanbury. Victorian extensions removed and alterations made 1956 by Sir Albert Richardson to Gibb's designs. Red brick building with ashlar dressings and Mansard roof.

{3} Pevsner includes a description of Kelmarsh; noting the late 18th century orangery, which was originally at Brixworth Hall and moved to Kelmarsh Hall in the 19th century.

{4} William Hanbury inherited the estate in 1721 and after coming of age demolished the old Jacobean house and built the present house on a new site. William was a man of literary and antiquarian tastes and became a Fellow of The Society of Antiquaries. His great-grandson Baron Bateman of Shobdon added an extension to the house to the design of Edward Haycock.The estate remained with the Hanburys until 1865 when it was sold to R.C.Naylor who adapted it for extensive entertaining. In 1902 it was sold to G.G.Lancaster whose family still owns it. From 1927-33 the house was leased to Ronald and Nancy Tree. The development of design of the present house is complex; architectural details given.

{5} Kelmarsh "….now building….".

{6} Three views of the house across parkland and gardens.

{7} Illustration of the house from the west; view of the house before Richardson's alterations ie. With Victorian extensions. The entrance front is also shown. Gibbs' designs for the house are different to what was actually executed.

{8} Hall sketched from lake.

{9} The present house in Queen Anne style was built by antiquarian William Hanbury, the date on the drainpipes is given as 1732. Murray names J.Gibbs as the architect. The ballroom was built by Mr Naylor. Francis Hodges 1838-1929 was or many years Head Gardener at Hall; buried in churchyard. William Hanbury became a Fellow of The Society of Antiquaries in 1740. He was also interested in astronomy. Illustrations show a view of hall across water by J.P.Neale (opp.p.22) and a present day view of the hall across water (opp.p.34).

{10} Thomas Hanbury, Serjeant-at-Law, Lord of the Manor of Kelmarsh, died 29/01/1721-2, and was succeeded by his son William, then 18 years of age. William rebuilt the manor house in 1728-32, on a different site, to the designs of James Gibbs, in red brick, and this house is a magnificent example of his domestic work. It is a Palladian building in the latest fashion of that day.

{12} Built by James Gibbs c.1727-32; in 1956 Sir Albert Richardson removed all the C19th additions and restored the appearance to that of Gibb's original drawings. A red brick building atypical of Northamptonshire. 7-bay centre of 2 storeys connected by wings to 2 storey pavilions.

{14} Lawyer and Lord of Manor Serjeant Thomas Hanbury hath here very good mansion house. The Osborne family passed the manor to Sir John Hanbury who died 1639. Illustration: perspective view of east front….seat of William Hanbury Esq.; illustration: view of west front of hall….seat of William Hanbury Esq.; little garden or parkland detail is shown.

{15} Description of original uses of rooms in the Hall, based on plans held by Kelmarsh Estates

{17} Dendrochronology showed that the present roof covering re-uses a substantial quantity of timber from the hall’s original roof, known to have been put in place when the building was completed in 1732. A smaller quantity of timber is shown to have been re-used from the predecessor to Kelmarsh Hall, a manor house known to have existed in 1618.
The roof was completely remodelled in 1820 when the original roof was raised to provide a second floor suite of rooms. The timber re-used from the hall’s original 18th century roof is shown by redundant mortises, peg holes and carpenters’ assembly marks. The timbers reused from the earlier manor house – which was demolished to make way for the present hall- are different to the rest of the structure, being rougher and less well trimmed.

{18} Article of 1933 about the hall. Includes a plan of the ground floor.

{19} Refurbishment of South Lodge for a visitor centre. ‘As Exisitng’ drawings of the lodge taken from the application. Site not visited and no further enquiries due to time constraints.

{21} Programme of observation and recording during restoration and conservation works in the basement rooms of the main house.

{23} Level 2 building survey of the basement rooms beneath the Main Block and North Pavilion at Kelmarsh Hall. Six main phases of alteration were identified, although the changing use of the spaces over time was more difficult to confirm. It was demonstrated that the existing layout has been created by the gradual sub-division of larger spaces.

{25} Undated photo;

{26} Letter refering to building operations at the Hall.

{27} William Hanbury's private account book; expenses at Kelmarsh and London.

{28} Lord Bateman's bankruptcy order.

{29} Lease for 1 year of manor of Kelmarsh of William Hanbury to Viscount Bateman.

{30} Nancy Lancaster (Tree) bought out Lady Colefax of country house decorators and interior designers Colefax & Fowler in 1946/7. John Fowler worked with Lancaster at other estates including Ditchley. Geoffrey Jellicoe also worked with Trees on formal gardens at Ditchley 1933-6. Jellicoe may have done the pleached limes at Kelmarsh in 1929.

{9} Francis Hodges 1838-1929 was or many years Head Gardener at Hall; buried in churchyard. William Hanbury became a Fellow of The Society of Antiquaries in 1740. He was also interested in astronomy. Illustrations show a view of hall across water by J.P.Neale (opp.p.22) and a present day view of the hall across water (opp.p.34).

{41} [Former list description] A country house built circa 1727-32 by James Gibbs for William Hanbury. It was altered in the Victorian period, but some Victorian work was demolished during reconstruction by Sir Albert Richardson in 1956, using the original Gibbs designs. The ballroom was added during the 19th century and remodelled during the early 20th century.

It is constructed of red brick with ashlar dressings, constructed to a double pile plan with linked pavillions. The main centre façade has two storeys plus basement and attic levels, with a mansard roof, the linked pavilions are also of two storeys with attics and have hipped roofs. A nearby late 18th century orangery actually originally stood at Brixworth Hall and was moved to Kelmarsh in the 20th century.
Listed. For the designation record of this site please see The National Heritage List for England

{43} An Anglo-Palladian house of seven bays and two storeys and two linked pavilions which curve around each side of the entrance forecourt known as the Bull Ring. The Ballroom was added in 1828 by RC Naylor who purchased Kelmarsh in 1864. In 1956 Sir Albert Richardson removed much of the 19th centruy alterations restoring the house to its original early 18th century appearance.

{46} Photo dated June 1963;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 6/64 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G02 p.28 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44900.

<3> Jenkins S., 2003, England's Thousand Best Houses, p.543-45 (unchecked) (Extract). SNN104722.

<4> Heward J.; Taylor R., 1996, The Country Houses of Northamptonshire, p.240 (checked) (Book). SNN41757.

<5> GIBBS J., 1728, Book of Architecture, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN41801.

<6> 1960, Postcard Collection, (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN41690.

<7> OSWALD A., 1933, Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire, p.198-203 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN41705.

<8> 1820, P 8580, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN41710.

<9> WALL J.C., 1927, Kelmarsh, A Parochial History, (unchecked) (Book). SNN41737.

<10> Brown G., 1969, The Old Manor House at Kelmarsh and A Civil War Fortification, p.7 (checked) (Report). SNN57929.

<11> Tillemans P.; Eayre T., 1720 (circa), Kelmarsh Hall, The Seat of William Hanbury Esq., (unchecked) (Print). SNN106186.

<12> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.270-71 (checked) (Series). SNN1320.

<13> GIBBS J., 1730, Drawings Collection RIBA, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN56248.

<14> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.38-42 (checked) (Book). SNN77326.

<15> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 1996-2013, Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group Newsletter, Issue 119 pp.6-9 (checked) (Newsletter). SNN55360.

<16> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 2009, A Landscape Detective's Look at Kelmarsh Hall, (unchecked) (Leaflet). SNN106892.

<17> I.H.B.C., 1999-2014, Context, 128/2 (checked) (Journal). SNN62305.

<18> 1933, Country Life (1933), p.198-203 (Journal). SNN41707.

<19> ELLISON M., 2002, SMR Report Form, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN102165.

<20> Ellison M., 2002, Kelmarsh Hall, South Pavillion, (unchecked) (Plan). SNN102166.

<21> Prentice, J & Soden, I, 2017, Archaeological survey and recording before and during conservation of basement rooms at Kelmarsh Hall, with observation and recording on outbuildings (Report). SNN111223.

<22> Crank, N. (Editor), 2017, South Midlands Archaeology (47), p. 37 (Journal). SNN111362.

<23> Jessop, O. and Sambrook, P., 2014, The Basements at Kelmarsh Hall, Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire, Historic Building Survey, May 2014 (Report). SNN111487.

<24> Jessop, O, 2014, North Quadrant Corridor, Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire: Survey of historic fabric, July 2014 (Report). SNN112395.

<25> Photographs of buildings in Kelmarsh (Photographs). SNN112703.

<26> 1732, NRO ZA 6247, (unchecked) (Document). SNN41804.

<27> 1837, Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN41701.

<28> 1895, ZB 150/46, (unchecked) (Document). SNN41702.

<29> 1730, BH(K) 129, (unchecked) (Document). SNN41704.

<30> ORAL REPORT, Inf Jenny Burt (Oral Report). SNN53287.

<31> Taylor C.C., 2000, Kelmarsh Estate Report, (unchecked) (Report). SNN101314.

<32> CLARKE G., 1850, Pencil Sketches, 11 (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN54454.

<33> Gotch J.A., 1939, Squires' Homes and Other Old Buildings of Northamptonshire, 22-3 (unchecked) (Book). SNN39616.

<34> 1820, ZB 207/28, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN56229.

<35> 1933, Famous Hunts and Their Countries: The Pytchley, p.189-92 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN41706.

<36> CLARKE G., 1850, George Clarke Pencil Sketch, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN56230.

<37> NRO ZA 6260, (unchecked) (Document). SNN54355.

<38> 1900, Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN56253.

<39> CLARKE G., 1850, P 2089, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN56231.

<40> Mowl T.; Hickman C., 2008, The Historic Gardens of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN106082.

<41> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, Daventry District, 02-NOV-1954 (Report). SNN112993.

<42> 1750, Correspondence, (unchecked) (Correspondence). SNN56233.

<43> English Heritage, Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England (2004, Northamptonshire), Kelmarsh Gardens, reference Number 5367, Northamptonshire, 29-OCT-2009 (Report). SNN116093.

<44> Historic England, Undated, Kelmarsh Hall, Kelmarsh, BF061877 (Archive). SNN116188.

<45> David Smith, 1980s?, Northants Buildings, 13 Colour slides (Slides). SNN116363.

<46> Miss June Swann, 1960s- 70s, Miss June Swann Photographic Archive (Photographs). SNN116665.

Record last edited

Jan 29 2025 2:37PM