Kingston Lacy

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.

Kingston Lacy

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.