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England

Chillington Hall (Cillintone)

  • Earlier Houses: There were two earlier houses on, or near, the site of the current (third) house. On August 11, 1575 Queen Elizabeth I spent the night at the second Chillington Hall as part of her Staffordshire progress.

    House & Family History: The Giffard family (pronounced JIFF-URD) has called Chillington their home since medieval times—the family is one of the few that have a direct link by descent from one of the knights who came over with William the Conqueror in 1066. The present owners, John and Cres Giffard, represent the 29th generation to live here. The family's distinctive panther crest was awarded to them following a gallant deed of Sir John Gifford in the reign of Henry VIII, who shot a panther that had escaped from a menagerie with his bow and arrow as it was about to pounce upon a woman and child on the estate. At the center of a great park landscaped by Capability Brown (with one of his largest lakes), the house is still approached via a great oak avenue which marches across two public roads. Today's house is an early 18th century rebuilding by Francis Smith, onto which the entrance range, with its noble Ionic portico of Tunstall stone, and the central top-lit saloon, was added by Sir John Soane. The great saloon, which predates Soane's famous top-lit banking halls for the Bank of England, together with the Entrance Hall, has recently been superbly restored and redecorated by the Giffard family, forming, with the other main rooms, a splendid gallery of family collections. (We are very grateful to Gareth Williams for this history of Chillington).

    Collections: Chillington contains two exceptional Pompeo Batoni portraits and other items acquired on 18th century Grand Tours.

  • Garden & Outbuildings: The park was designed by Capability Brown and contains one of his largest lakes (there is a four-mile path around the lake). The grounds feature the Grade II*-listed stableblock, the Grade II-listed Avenue Bridge, the Bowling Green Arch (Grade II*), the Grade II-listed Sluice House, the 18th century Ice House (Grade II), the Grade I-listed Ionic Temple, and the ruinous Gothic Temple.

  • Architect: Henry (Harry) Inigo Triggs

    Date: 1911
    Designed: Garden

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    Architect: Thomas Telford

    Date: Circa 1830
    Designed: Avenue Bridge

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    Architect: James Paine Sr.

    Date: 1770s
    Designed: Alterations to Park, including bridges, for Thomas Giffard the Elder

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    Architect: Francis Smith

    Date: Circa 1724
    Designed: Rebuilt house for Peter Giffard
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
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    Architect: Richard Trubshaw

    Date: Circa 1724
    Designed: West Facade for Peter Giffard
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
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    Architect: John Soane

    Date: 1789
    Designed: Alterations for Thomas Giffard the Younger

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    Architect: Lancelot Brown

    Date: 1770s
    Designed: Park for Thomas Giffard the Elder

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  • Country Life: CIII, 326, 378, 426, 1948.

  • Title: Smith of Warwick: Francis Smith, Architect and Master-Builder
    Author: Gomme, Andor
    Year Published: 2000
    Reference: pg. 157
    Publisher: Lincolnshire: Shaun Tyas
    ISBN: 1900289385
    Book Type: Hardback

  • House Listed: Grade I

    Park Listed: Grade II*

  • "Benediction" (2021).
  • Current Seat / Home of: John Giffard; Giffard family here since 1178.

    Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSES: William FitzCorbucion, 11th century. Peter Corbesun, 12th century. Peter Giffard, 12th century; Sir John Giffard, until 1556; Peter Giffard, 1718-24. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Peter Giffard, 1724-46; Thomas Giffard the Elder, 1748-76; Thomas Giffard the Younger, 1776-1823.

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

  • House Open to Public: Yes

    Phone: 01902-850-236

    Fax: 01902-850-768

    Email: [email protected]

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

    Awards: HHA/Sotheby's Restoration Award 2009.

    Historic Houses Member: Yes

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