Building record 6804/1/1 - Wicken Park Lodge

Wicken Park was formerly one of the lodges of the Whittlewood Forest, sold 1716 to Charles Hosier who enlarged it. Possible 16th-century origins. Wings added and altered by Thomas Prowse for himself. Extra storey added and other alterations C19. Wicken Park was formerly one of the lodges of the Whittlewood Forest, sold 1716 to Charles Hosier who enlarged it.

{1} Country house, now a school. Early C18 with possible C16 origins. Wings added and altered by Thomas Prowse for himself. Extra storey added and other alterations C19. Limestone ashlar, hipped slate roof, brick internal stacks. 3 storeys with 2-storey wings, 10-window range to north. Double-depth plan. North, present entrance front has C19 porch to left of centre and sash windows with flat-arched heads. 3 bays either side of 2-bay centre break forward slightly. 2-storey wings have canted projections, with window sashes to ground and 1st floors with flat arched heads. Plinth and 1st floor storey band. 9-window garden front to south. Wings have 2 windows to this side to ground and 1st floor. All sash windows with flat-arched heads. West side elevation of 3 bays, that to centre breaking forward slightly. C19 office wing to east. Interior has 2-storey staircase hall with re-set mid C18 staircase rising to gallery-landing with slim turned balusters and carved tread ends. Plaster modillion and guilloche pattern plaster cornices to other rooms in west wing, another with reeded plaster cornice and moulded 6-panel door. Fielded panelling to rooms either end of south front one with bolection-moulded fireplace, the other with blocked corner fireplace. Wicken Park was formerly one of the lodges of the Whittlewood Forest, sold 1716 to Charles Hosier who enlarged it. The house came into the Prowse family through the marriage of Thomas Prowse of Axbridge, Somerset, to Elizabeth Sharp, eldest daughter of the Hosiers only child Anna Maria. Their descendants lived there until 1860 when it was sold to Colonel the Hon. George Sholto Douglas-Pennent, later Baron Penrhyn, who enlarged the house and restored and enlarged the Church (q.v.) in memory of his first wife who died 1869. The Penrhyn family lived at Wicken Park until 1944 when the estate was sold.

{3} Wicken Park Lodge was sold in 1716 to Charles Hosier who enlarged it. Since then it has been enlarged more.

{7} Examination of the building suggests the possibility that some of the walls of the kitchens and workshop to the rear of the building are of pre 1700 date. This is based solely on the disposition of the stones, the thickness of the walls and indications of alterations to the fabric.

{9} Undated photo, also two photos dated 11.11.1993;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 9/121 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F11 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.462 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<4> Dickin Moore C.S., 1967, Wicken Church, (unchecked) (Guide). SNN103148.

<5> Colvin H., 1995, A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects (1660-1840), p.667 (unchecked) (Book). SNN54451.

<6> Neale J.P., 1820, Views of Seats (1), (unchecked) (Series). SNN54894.

<7> de Broise A., 2005, The Whittlewood Project: Historic Buildings Survey, Wicken (Report). SNN105037.

<8> Ordnance Survey, Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN57684.

<9> Photographs of buildings in Wicken (Photographs). SNN114205.

<10> Woodfield, P, 2003, The Whittlewood Project: Phase 1 rapid survey of all buildings within the 12 parishes of the survey, identifying buildings that have, or are likely to have, fabric dating from before 1700 (Report). SNN116636.

Record last edited

Oct 24 2024 9:09AM