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Kingston Lacy
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The sedate rectangle of Kingston Lacy sits amid the vast
estates acquired by the Bankes family, whio lived here for over 300
years. At its core the house is Restoration style, begun by Sir Ralph
Bankes in the 1660s. That house replaced an even earlier medieval manor
that had been heavily damaged in the Civil War.
Sir
Roger Pratt was responsible for the original design of Sir Ralph's "Kingston
Hall", but the family did not stay long in the unpretentious classical
brick house built by Pratt. By the time of Sir Ralph's death the family
debts had risen so alarmingly that they had to move out and lease the
house to tenants. Eventually the family finances recovered, and the
Bankes family returned. In the 1780s R. F. Brettingham added some decorative
touches, but that was nothing compared to the contributions of Sir Charles
Barry 50 years later.
Barry met William Bankes, inveterate wanderer and friend
of Lord Byron, in 1819 at the temple of Rameses in Abu Simbel. The two
men struck up a friendship, and when Bankes finally turned his attention
to remodeling his family home at Kingston it was Barry he called on
to help.
Over
the course of 20 years Bankes lavished attention on the house, which
he renamed Kingston Lacy. He focussed most of his attention on the interior
decorative elements. Here he assembled a wonderful collection of European
paintings, including works by Velazquez, as well as family portraits
by Reynolds and Van Dyck. One has to wonder what the house would be
like today if Bankes had not had to cut short his redecorating and flee
the country after an "indiscretion" with a guardsman.
The spectacular marble staircase designed by Barry was
Bankes's favourite design element, but arguably more impressive is the
small Spanish Room beside the Saloon, with painted leather and a gilded
ceiling bought from a Venetian palace. Everywhere is an abundance of
marble statuary reminiscent of classical Rome, and marvelous carved
panelling and plasterwork. The extensive gardens are dotted with Egyptian
statuary, making Kingston Lacy a truly fascinating and eclectic experience.
LOCATION
Kingston Lacy
Wimborne Minster
Dorset
BH21 4EA
Tel 01202 883402 (Monday - Friday)
01202 842913 (Saturday and Sunday)
Fax 01202 882402
Infoline 01202 880413
Email: kingstonlacy@nationaltrust.org.uk
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
ENTRY: fee charged

NEARBY
Badbury
Rings Iron Age hillfort
Photographs courtesy of Joanne Paul
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