DiCamillo Companion
England

Castle Ashby

  • Built / Designed For: Henry Compton, 1st Baron Compton

    House & Family History: In 1574 Henry, Lord Compton (whose other seat was Compton Wynyates), started building Castle Ashby. The Comptons were part of the early 17th century circle of power families; they entertained King James I at Castle Ashby in 1605, 1612, and 1616.

  • Garden & Outbuildings: The Castle Ashby Estate today encompasses approximately 10,000 acres.

  • Architect: John Johnson

    Date: 1771-72
    Designed: Alterations
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
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    Architect: Edward William Godwin

    Date: Circa 1871
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    Architect: Charles Heathchote Tatham

    Date: 1807
    Designed: Alterations
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
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    Architect: Fairfax Blomfield Wade-Palmer

    Date: 1884
    Designed: Alterations

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    Architect: Thomas Graham Jackson

    Date: Circa 1880
    Designed: Alterations

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    Architect: William Talman

    Date: 1695
    Designed: Greenhouse on south side of the churchyard (demolished circa 1868)
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
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  • Vitruvius Britannicus: C. III, pl. 8, 1725.

    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. I, p. 25, 1854.

    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. III, 1820.

    Country Life: XIV, 470, 1903. LX, 422 plan, 462, 901 [Furniture], 1926. LXI, 925 [Pictures], 1927.

  • Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
    Author: Colvin, Howard
    Year Published: 1995
    Reference: pg. 953
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 0300072074
    Book Type: Softback

    Title: Compton Wynyates Guidebook
    Author: NA
    Year Published: NA
    Reference: pg. 4
    Publisher: NA
    ISBN: NA
    Book Type: Light Softback

    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 I

    Park Listed: Grade I

  • "Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (1980 - TV mini series, as the Earl of Marchington's country house). "Love in a Cold Climate" (2001 - TV mini series, as exterior of Lord and Lady Montdore's country house). "Friends and Crocodiles" (2005 - TV movie, as exteriors and most interiors of Paul Reynolds's country house).
  • Current Seat / Home of: Spencer Douglas David Compton, 7th Marquess of Northampton

    Past Seat / Home of: Henry Compton, 1st Baron Compton, 1577-89; William Compton, 2nd Baron Compton and 1st Earl of Northampton, 1589-1618; Spencer Compton, 2nd Earl of Northampton, 1618-43; James Compton, 3rd Earl of Northampton, 1643-81; George Compton, 4th Earl of Northampton, 1681-1727; James Compton, 5th Earl of Northampton, 1727-54; George Compton, 6th Earl of Northampton, 1754-58; Charles Compton, 7th Earl of Northampton, 1758-63; Spencer Compton, 8th Earl of Northampton, 1763-96; Charles Compton, 9th Earl of Northampton and 1st Marquess of Northampton, 1796-1828; Spencer Joshua Alwyne Compton, 2nd Marquess of Northampton, 1828-51; Charles Douglas-Compton, 3rd Marquess of Northampton, 1851-77; William Compton, 4th Marquess of Northampton, 1877-97; William George Spencer Scott Compton, 5th Marquess of Northampton, 1897-1913; William Bingham Compton, 6th Marquess of Northampton, 1913-78.

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

  • House Open to Public: Grounds Only

    Phone: 01604-696-696

    Fax: 01604-690-516

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: https://www.castleashbygardens.co.uk

    Historic Houses Member: No