Description

WIMBORNE ST GILES
SU 0311 ST GILES HOUSE

13/108 St Giles House
18.3.55
GV I

Country house, possibly incorporating late medieval work in the basements,
main body of house begun 1651 for Sir A Ashley-Cooper, first Earl of
Shaftesbury, further C17 work with some interiors possibly by John Webb
(Newman and Pevsner), extensive alterations of 1740-4 by Henry Flitcroft,
further work of the 1790s possibly by Soane (Newman and Pevsner), further
work of 1813-20 by Thomas Cundy, alterations of 1854 by P C Hardwick.
Rear wings demolished early 1970s. Brick, formerly rendered, with ashlar
dressings and slate and lead roofs. Rendered C19 stacks. C17 rusticated
brick quoin exposed on south front. Some C18 embattled parapets remain.
Parapet and first-floor plat bands. Main front to east. Symmetrical:
2 storeys with attics and basements; 7 bay. Ashlar architraves with
keystones. Sashes largely C20 replacements in the C18 style (corresponding
to Flitcroft's alterations) having thick moulded glazing-bars. Central
doorway with moulded ashlar architrave with keystone supporting a curvilinear
broken pediment containing a blank shield. 5 pedimented dormer windows.
The details of the other facades are broadly similar to those of the east
front. A central open courtyard was roofed in the early C19.

Main interior features (house largely in the process of renovation to
counter the effects of dry rot at time of survey, 1985): C17 work;
large stone chimney piece with sways and garlands of fruit dropping
from lions' mouths; ceiling with oval wreath of fruit and oak leaves
with side panels; C18 work: a number of Palladian chimney pieces,
enriched friezes and cornices and joinery; C19 work: central hallway
with columned galleries; staircase with wrought iron balustrade; various
joinery and fittings. The basements contains a C16 moulded stone doorway
with depressed 4-centred head.

A house of great archaeological complexity. (RCHM, Dorset, vol V,
p 94-97, no. 4. Newman, J and Pevsner, N. The Buildings of England:
Dorset, 1972, p 471-2).

Listing NGR: SU0323611591

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• St Giles House, Wimborne St Giles at Wikipedia
• St Giles House, Wimborne St Giles official website
• Wikidata Q7593276

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  ENGLAND GUIDE TO POST WAR LISTED: A Guide to Post-war Listed Buildings
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair