DiCamillo Companion
England

Belle Isle

Windermere, South Lakeland

Cumbria

England

Historic County: Westmorland

Circa Date: 1774

Status: Fully Extant

House Open to Public: No

Country House: Yes

  • House & Family History: Positioned on an island in Lake Windermere, Belle Isle was the first house in the Lake District to be built entirely for picturesque reasons. It is most unusual in having a circular plan, crowned by a dome with a lantern. The entrance portico is of four unfluted Ionic columns, with Venetian (Palladian) windows in the other sides. The design of the house was inspired by the work of the Italian architect Mario Asprucci (Belle Isle was also the basis for the design of the circlular part for Ickworth House).

  • Garden & Outbuildings: The island was landscaped by Thomas White in the 1780s.

  • Architect: Thomas White Sr.

    Date: 1780s
    Designed: Landscaped island

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    Architect: John Plaw

    Date: Circa 1774
    Designed: House

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  • Country Life: LXXXVIII, 98, 120 plan, 1940.

  • Title: Disintegration of a Heritage: Country Houses and their Collections, 1979-1992, The
    Author: Sayer, Michael
    Year Published: 1993
    Publisher: Norfolk: Michael Russell (Publishing)
    ISBN: 0859551970
    Book Type: Hardback

  • House Listed: Grade I

    Park Listed: Grade II*

  • Past Seat / Home of: Curwen family, 1781-1991.

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

  • House Open to Public: No

    Historic Houses Member: No

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