Capesthorne, Siddington, near Macclesfield
Cheshire
England
Circa Date: Early 18th century w/19th & 20th century additions and alterations
Status: Fully Extant
House Open to Public: By Appointment
Country House: Yes
The house from the 1880s publication "Morris's Views of Seats"
An 1861 illustration from "The Illustrated London News" of the house on fire.
The sculpture gallery from a circa 1930 postcard
House & Family History: Capesthorne is a red brick house with ashlar dressings that is noted for its sculpture gallery. Designed by Edward Blore in the 1830s. the sculpture gallery has a paneled ceiling with arched niches that are filled with ancient copies of famous Greek sculptures and a pair of dancing girls by Antonio Canova (see "Images" section). A carved wooden Georgian fireplace from Calveley Hall, Alpraham (another Davenport family house), was installed at Capesthorne after the demolition of Calveley in the 1950s. On September 28, 1861, a devastating fire largely gutted the house (see "Images"), after which it was rebuilt on the original footprint (the chapel and conservatory were spared).
Collections: Taddeo Gaddhi's altarpiece, probably originally purchased by The Rev. William Davenport Bromley, together with four paintings, were all sold at Christie's on May 24, 1991 for a total of £2,626,800.
Garden & Outbuildings: The grounds include over 100 acres of land, a chain of man-made lakes, a fine brick-and-stone arched bridge, the Milanese Gates, the ice house, and the water cascade, the last three all being 18th century.
Chapel & Church: The circa 1720 chapel is extant.
Architect: Edward Blore
Date: 1839-42John 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: Vol. I, p. 244, 1852.
Country Life: CLXII, 535, 607, 1977.
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 2008
Reference: pgs. 132, 943, 945
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300125085
Book Type: Hardback
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 II*
Park Listed: Not Listed
Current Seat / Home of: Bromley-Davenport family; here since Domesday times.
Past Seat / Home of: John Ward, 18th century. Edward Davies Davenport, 19th century.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
Ownership Details: Available for wedding and events
House Open to Public: By Appointment
Phone: 01625-861-221
Fax: 01625-861-619
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.capesthorne.com/
Historic Houses Member: Yes