DiCamillo Companion
England

Capesthorne Hall

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

This house has been used for TV and Film

The house from the 1880s publication "Morris's Views of Seats"

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 (see "Images" section), designed by Edward Blore in the 1830s. The 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. 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.

    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: Francis Smith

    Date: 1732-33
    Designed: Rebuilt house for John Ward

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    Architect: William Smith the Elder

    Date: 1720
    Designed: Wings for John Ward

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    Architect: Edward Blore

    Date: 1839-42
    Designed: Enlarged and remodeled house for Edward Davies Davenport

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    Architect: Anthony Salvin

    Date: 1861-62
    Designed: Rebuilt house after 1861 fire

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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: 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

  • "The Case-book of Sherlock Holmes" (1991 - TV series, as the bridge and house of Thor Hall in "The Problem of Thor Bridge"). "The Making of a Lady" (2012 - TV movie).

  • 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: info@capesthorne.com

    Website: https://www.capesthorne.com/

    Historic Houses Member: Yes

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