DiCamillo Companion
England

Blithfield Hall

  • House & Family History: Blithfield is a medieval house, with later alterations and additions, built around a central courtyard. In the 19th century the 2nd Lord Bagot gave the House its romantic Gothick appearance. His alterations also included the magnificent 1822 plasterwork by Bernasconi in the Great Hall. In 1945 Gerald, 5th Lord Bagot, sold the House to the South Staffordshire Water Works, who planned to make a reservoir in the Park. On the death of the 5th Lord his son, Caryl, the 6th Lord, re-purchased the House and began the long process of restoration. Blithfield opened to daily visitors in 1956 and closed in 1977. In 1986 the House was divided into four separate houses, one on each side; the main part, which contains the Great Hall, is in the ownership of the Bagot Jewitt Trust, and remains the home of the Bagot family.

  • Architect: Samuel Wyatt

    Date: 1769
    Designed: Orangery, after James Stuart's design, together with Joseph Wyatt for 1st Lord Bagot.

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    Architect: Joseph Wyatt

    Date: 1769
    Designed: Orangery, after James Stuart's design, together with Samuel Wyatt for 1st Lord Bagot.

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    Architect: Richard Trubshaw

    Date: Circa 1740
    Designed: Additions to House
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
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    Architect: Charles Cope

    Date: Late 18th century
    Designed: Additions to House
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
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    Architect: John Jackson

    Date: 1820-24
    Designed: Remodeled House in Tudor Gothic style
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
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  • John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. II, p. 126, 1855.

    John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. IV, 1821. 2.S. Vol. V, 1829.

    Country Life: CXVI, 1488, 1576 plan, 1664, 1954.

  • Title: James "Athenian" Stuart, 1713-1788: The Rediscovery of Antiquity
    Author: Soros, Susan Weber (Editor)
    Year Published: 2006
    Reference: pg. 329
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 0300117132
    Book Type: Hardback

    Title: Follies, Grottoes and Garden Buildings
    Author: Headley, Gwyn; Meulenkamp, Wim
    Year Published: 1999
    Publisher: London: Aurum Press Ltd.
    ISBN: 1854106252
    Book Type: Softback

  • House Listed: Grade I

    Park Listed: Not Listed

  • Current Seat / Home of: Nancy, Lady Bagot; Bagot family here since 1360.

    Past Seat / Home of: Roger de Lacy, 11th century. William Bagot, 3rd Baron Bagot, 19th century.

    Current Ownership Type: Flat Owners Company / Condo Association

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Flats / Multi Family

    Ownership Details: The House was divided into four flats in 1986, with the main part remaining in the ownership of the Bagot Jewitt Trust.

  • House Open to Public: No

    Historic Houses Member: No