Building record 7092/1/1 - Wakefield Lodge

Wakefield Lodge was used both as a hunting lodge and country house. It was built between 1747and 1750 by William Kent for the second Duke of Grafton with later 18th and 19th century alterations and additions. Some of these additions were demolished and further alterations made between 1946-48 by AGS Butler for Mr Norman See. The building is constructed from Bilsworth limestone ashlar with a slate roof and is of two storeys with a basement and attic. The H-plan house has a central entrance which is flanked by 15-pane sash windows with elliptical-arched heads. A single-storey three-bay portico is approached by a curving double-arm balustraded stair. To either side of the portico and to the projecting wings are Venetian windows with blank side panels. The central first floor windows form tripartite lunette-shaped compositions with wide divisions. To either side of this and to the wings are lunettes with blank side panels. The attic storeys at the two end wings have open pediments and six-pane sashes. The five bay attic between is an addition of circa 1840. The side wings have also been extended by one bay to the rear and a two-storey rendered brick addition has been added to the rear of the main range. A kitchen extension was also added to the rear of the left wing in the 20th century. Wakefield Lodge was the Northamptonshire seat of the Dukes of Grafton until 1936.

{1} Hunting lodge/country house. c.1748-50 by William Kent for 2nd Duke of Grafton with later C18 and C19 additions and alterations. Some additions demolished and other alterations made 1946-48 by A.G.S. Butler for Mr. Norman Gee. Limestone ashlar, slate roof, stone lateral and ridge stacks. 2 storeys, basement and attic; 7-window range. H-plan. Central 6-panel double-leaf doors with overlight flanked by 15-pane sash windows with elliptical-arched heads. Single-storey 3-bay portico approached by curving balustraded stair. Tuscan columns with strong entasis, balustrades between columns, plain entablature originally with balustraded parapet, removed C20. Venetian windows to ground floor either side of portico and to projecting wings with elliptical-arched heads, stone balustrades and blank side panels. Central 1st floor windows form tripartite lunette-shaped composition with wide divisions. Lunettes either side and to wings with blank side panels. Attic storeys to wings either end pediments and 6-pane sashes with stone lintels. 5-bay attic between is an addition of c.1840. Lunette windows to basement, plinth, sill bands, giant dentilled cornice at 1st floor level, and band and moulded cornice at attic floor level. 2-bay side elevations originally. Wings extended 1 bay to rear. 2-storey rendered brick addition to rear of main range. Mid C19 columned porch to left side of rendered brick, and single storey C20 kitchen extension to rear of left wing. Interior: 3- centre is filled by hall in the style of Inigo Jones' Queens House with balustraded gallery on console brackets at 1st floor level on all four sides. Stone-paved floor, large stone chimneypiece with spear and intertwined bows to side piers and bear's head to left pier, badger's head to right pier. Compartmented ceiling with Garter star to central circular panel and deep divisions with guilloche patterns. Circular stone cantilever staircase in style of Queen's House and wrought-iron balustrade and mahogany handrail. Original plasterwork ceilings to study and present billiard room, probably original dining room. Drawing room and staircase to other side of hall remodelled by A.G.S. Butler. Present dining room said to have been formerly Library with late C18 decoration, curved to one end with round-arched door flanked by round-arched recesses; deep coved ceiling with simple plasterwork. Original stone chimneypieces to study, billiard room and bedrooms. Stone-vaulted basement rooms either end. Northamptonshire seat of the Dukes of Grafton until 1936.

{2} Former lodge attributed to John Claypole son-in-law of Cromwell; present mansion built by Charles 2nd Duke of Grafton from design by William Kent in 1745; it is elegant plain edifice with tetrastyle portico of Tuscan order; house stands a mile south of Potterspury on gentle eminence;

{3} Surviving range built as addition to earlier hunting lodge which was the residence of the keeper of Wakefield Walk. On Queen Catherine's death in 1705 the estate passed to Arlington's grandson 2nd Duke of Grafton Charles Fitzroy, whose principal seat was at Euston in Suffolk; in 1747 2nd Duke of Grafton rebuilt north part of lodge; house was an official residence so received Treasury grant of £2000 towards cost which had amounted to more than £8000; designed by William Kent & style owes much to work of Inigo Jones & his circle in particular Jones Queens House at Greenwich; progress of work on new range well documented; bricks & lime for construction were obtained locally; stone for core of walls came from Cosgrove & ashlar facing from Grafton; although centre of large estate house used primarily for hunting & associated entertainment; earlier parts of building were rebuilt in 1770s when 3rd Duke Augustus claimed that the old part of lodge was ruinous; after further additions in C19th house was very substantial; only Kent wing survived demolition in 1948; architectural details given including plans & photographs;

{4} Earlier hunting lodge said to have been built by John Claypole son-in-law of Oliver Cromwell; Claypole was Warden of forest; 2 illustrations of Wakefield Lodge; P.Sandby Pinxt; M.A.Rooker sculpture; "….no footsteps of a town remaining…."; there was certainly village or hamlet of Wakefield."....only single house....";

{5} Hunting lodge/country house; built c.1748-50 by William Kent for 2nd Duke of Grafton; later C18th & C19th additions & alterations; some additions demolished & other alterations made 1946-8 by A.G.S.Butler for Mr Norman Gee; limestone ashlar with slate roof; architectural details given;

{8}Occupants of house included butler & cook & footman;

{16} Includes illustration of Wakefield Lodge from north-west before addition of 3rd storey; to rear is shown west range added in 1770 & demolished in 1948; illustration reproduced in RCHME 1996;

{18} Building shown on south side of Wakefield Lawn;

{19} Chief lodge;

{20} Wakefield Lawn was overlooked by Wakefield Great Lodge; royal hunting lodge under Angevins which became successively residence of keeper & then of lieutenant of forest & finally after costly restoration in 1745 Dukes of Grafton who were Wardens of Whittlewood; rebuilt into gentle seat by Kent;

{23} House shown H-plan;

{24} Complete range of house shown;

{25} Complete range of house shown;

{26} Built by Kent for 2nd Duke of Grafton c.1745; Kent also built Euston in Suffolk for Duke; built as hunting lodge in Whittlewood Forest for which Duke was ranger; closer in style to Vanbrugh than Palladio; architectural details given;

{31} Two undated photos;

{32} Accounts for garden labourers September 1787-February 1790; includes eradication of birds and wasps nests from the gardens.

{33} Undated photo;

{35} In west of parish and within Wakefield Lawn further blocks of R&F traceable; possibly remains of arable land of former settlement of Wakefield but more likely to represent contemporary or later ploughing of ancient deer lawn.

{50} [Former list description] Wakefield is in the Mediaeval Forest of Whittlebury, and there was royal hunting lodge there from the reign of Henry II until at least 1217.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 6/89 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.231 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77328.

<3> Heward J.; Taylor R., 1996, The Country Houses of Northamptonshire, p.322-25 (checked) (Book). SNN41757.

<4> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.310 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<5> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, p.14 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN42095.

<6> Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN56320.

<7> 1750, Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN42110.

<8> 1766, Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN42109.

<9> BL MS 5836, (unchecked) (Document). SNN54347.

<10> Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN56283.

<11> Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN56284.

<12> Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN56285.

<13> Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN56286.

<14> PRO C 108/362, PRO C 108/362 (Document). SNN54348.

<15> Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN56287.

<16> BUCKLER, 1824, Wakefield Lodge, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN42111.

<17> 1940, Sale Catalogue, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN56288.

<18> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (checked) (Map). SNN1852.

<19> Evans J.; Britton J., 1810, The Beauties of England and Wales (Northamptonshire), p.27 (unchecked) (Book). SNN1351.

<20> Pettit P.A.J., 1968, The Royal Forests of Northamptonshire: A Study in Their Economy 1558-1714, 8+13 (Series). SNN42130.

<21> Brown R.A.; Colvin H.M.; Taylor, 1963, The History of The Kings' Works (Vol.I), p.83-4+120 (unchecked) (Series). SNN56290.

<22> Brown R.A.; Colvin H.M.; Taylor, 1963, The History of The Kings' Works (Vol.II), p.1006 (unchecked) (Series). SNN3801.

<23> Bryant A., 1827, Map of The County of Northampton, (checked) (Map). SNN2733.

<24> Ordnance Survey, 1926, Ordnance Survey Third Edition Map Series (60.8), (checked) (Map). SNN41915.

<25> Ordnance Survey, 1880, First Edition OS 6 Inch Mapping Series (MULTIPLES!), 60NE (checked) (Map). SNN41967.

<26> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.377-8+photographs; checked; (Series). SNN1320.

<27> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F11 (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<29> 1973, Country Life (1973), (unchecked) (Journal). SNN103095.

<30> Watkin D. et.al., 1984, A House in Town, 24-5 (Book). SNN54492.

<31> Photographs of buildings in Potterspury (Photographs). SNN112957.

<32> 1800, Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN42026.

<33> Photographs of buildings in Deene (Photographs). SNN112533.

<35> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.121 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<36> Sandby P., 1781, Collection of 150 Select Views, 38-9 (Illustration). SNN54775.

<37> Clay P.; Courtney P.; Cooper L., 1996, An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment and Survey for The Salcey to Deanshanger Pipeline Duplication, Phase 3, (unchecked) (Report). SNN62532.

<38> Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN54469.

<39> Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN54449.

<40> BINNEY M., 1973, WAKEFIELD LODGE, 298-301 (Journal). SNN56313.

<41> Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN56317.

<42> 1971, ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN54450.

<43> Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN56318.

<44> Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN56315.

<45> Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN56316.

<46> Historic England, Undated, Labelled sheet of plans of Wakefield Lodge, showing the ground- and first-floors, RCH01/082/01/182 (Archive). SNN113123.

<47> Historic England, Undated, WAKEFIELD LODGE, POTTERSPURY, BF061899 (Archive). SNN113122.

<48> Historic England, Undated, Labelled drawing showing a conjectural plan of Wakefield Lodge, RCH01/082/01/183 (Archive). SNN113124.

<49> Estate Accounts, (unchecked) (Document). SNN56314.

<50> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, South Northamptonshire, 18-MAY-1988 (Report). SNN112993.

Record last edited

Oct 24 2024 11:46AM