The entrance facade
Detail of the entrance facade
The garden facade
Lutyens's canal looking toward the garden facade of the house
Stables (left) and arch
The stables
Earlier Houses: There was an earlier house on the site of the current house.
Built / Designed For: Sir Matthew White, 1st Bt.
House & Family History: The mid-18th century staircase hall features an imperial staircase with a Roman Doric screen at its base. The Ridley family for many years leased No. 10 Carlton House Terrace as their London home. The 5th Viscount Ridley, whose estate contains significant coal mining operations, is a prominent British climate denier.
Garden & Outbuildings: The garden was extensively redesigned the 1930s by Sir Edwin Lutyens, whose daughter Ursula was married to the 3rd Viscount Ridley. The garden contains the only surviving bronze of John Graham Lough's gigantic statue of Milo of Croton, while the estate is home to "The Lady of the North," a huge land sculpture in the shape of a reclining female figure.
Architect: Unknown (designed by an unknown architect)
Date: 1730s-50sArchitect: Edwin Landseer Lutyens
Date: 1930sArchitect: James Paine Sr.
Date: 1752-56Architect: James Wyatt
Date: 1778-91Architect: Ignatius Bonomi
Date: 1826-30Country Life: Christopher Hussey in CXII, 188, 260, 396, 1952.
Title: In Celebration: The Art of the Country House
Author: Hearn, Karen; Upstone, Robert; Waterfield, Giles
Year Published: 1998
Publisher: London: Tate Gallery Publishing
ISBN: 1854372777
Book Type: Softback
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 2008
Reference: pgs. 138, 770, 1184
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300125085
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Lost Houses of Newcastle and Northumberland
Author: Faulkner, Thomas; Lowery, Phoebe
Year Published: 1996
Publisher: Yorkshire: Jill Raines
ISBN: 0951649426
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Not Listed
Current Seat / Home of: Matthew White Ridley, 5th Viscount Ridley; Ridley family here since 1698.
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Sir Matthew White, 1st Bt., until 1763; Sir Matthew White Ridley, 2nd Bt., 1763-1813; Sir Matthew White Ridley, 3rd Bt., 1813-36; Sir Matthew White Ridley, 4th Bt., 1836-77; Sir Matthew White Ridley, 5th Bt. and 1st Viscount Ridley, 1877-1904; Matthew White Ridley, 2nd Viscount Ridley, 1904-16; Matthew White Ridley, 3rd Viscount Ridley, 1916-64; Matthew White Ridley, 4th Viscount Ridley, 1964-2012.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
House Open to Public: Limited Access to Grounds Only
Phone: 01670-789-621
Fax: 01670-789-235
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.blagdonestate.co.uk
Historic Houses Member: No