Kingston Lacy, Dorset, England

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Brief description of site

Kingston Lacy is a 17th-century house and parkland with woodland, avenues and gardens of around 164 hectares. The estate was radically remodelled in the 19th century by Sir Charles Barry, and includes 19th-century gardens of 11 hectares.

Brief history of site

There was a medieval manor house to the north of the present mansion, with a deer park to the north-west. By the early 16th century, the medieval manor house had fallen into disrepair and much of the open hunting land on the estate was enclosed. Sir Ralph Bankes commissioned Sir Roger Pratt (d 1685) to design a new house to be erected at Kingston Lacy. This was completed by 1667, and was surrounded by formal gardens. Significant changes were made between 1772 and 1776, including the enclosure of agricultural land outside the 17th century park, the remodelling of the house, and the construction of new service blocks. The hall was re-modelled by Charles Barry in 1835.

Location information:

OS Landranger Map Sheet Number:	195	Grid Ref:	ST978012
Latitude:	50.81035	Longitude:	-2.032592

Key information:

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