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England

Blagdon Hall

  • 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-50s
    Designed: House

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    Architect: Robert Lutyens

    Date: 1948-49
    Designed: Restored house after 1944 fire

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    Architect: John Dobson

    Date: Circa 1820
    Designed: North wing

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    Architect: Edwin Landseer Lutyens

    Date: 1930s
    Designed: Redesigned garden for 3rd Viscount Ridley

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    Architect: James Paine Sr.

    Date: 1752-56
    Designed: South Range for Sir Matthew White, 1st Bt.

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    Architect: James Wyatt

    Date: 1778-91
    Designed: Stables and decoration of dining room and other interiors for Sir Matthew White Ridley, 2nd Bt.

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    Architect: Ignatius Bonomi

    Date: 1826-30
    Designed: Porte cochere on south facade (1826) and portico on east facade (1830), all for Sir Matthew White Ridley, 3rd Bt.

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  • Country 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