The House from "Morris's Views of Seats," circa 1875.
Earlier Houses: In 1850-51 the current house was built around the core of an 1811 house to replace the house that burned in 1810.
House & Family History: In 1850-51 the current house was built around the core of an 1811 house to replace the house that burned in 1810.
Garden & Outbuildings: Fort Henry is a Gothick summer house with battlements and lakeside terraces; the folly was designed by William Legg and built in the early 19th century to resemble a style of 1760-70. It was built by, and named after, Henry, the 6th Earl of Gainsborough, who supposedly re-enacted the great sea battles of his time on the lake, using miniature boats, manned by his servants and tenants. Near Fort Henry is the ruin of a garden house made entirely of tree bark; this very rare garden house is slowly being restored. In addition, the Stables, Riding School, Dovecote, and Jacobethan style Lodges are all extant.
Chapel & Church: Attached to the House is the large Roman Catholic Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury, built in 1868.
Architect: John Chessell Buckler
Date: 1868Vitruvius Britannicus: C. IVth, pls. 59-62, 1739.
Title: Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage, 1990
Author: Kidd, Charles; Williamson, David (Editors)
Year Published: 1990
Reference: pg. P 491
Publisher: London: Debrett's Peerage Limited (New York: St. Martin's Press, Inc.)
ISBN: 0312046405
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Buildings of England: Leicestershire and Rutland, The
Author: Pevsner, Nikolaus
Year Published: 1973
Reference: pgs. 298-299
Publisher: London: Penguin Books
ISBN: 0140710183
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Follies and Pleasure Pavilions
Author: Mott, George; Aall, Sally Sample
Year Published: 1989
Publisher: New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
ISBN: 0810911752
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 1995
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300072074
Book Type: Softback
Title: Georgian: The Magazine of the Georgian Group, The
Author: NA
Year Published: NA
Reference: January 1999, pg. 16
Publisher: London: The Georgian Group
ISBN: NA
Book Type: Magazine
House Listed: Not Listed
Park Listed: Grade II
Current Seat / Home of: Anthony Baptist Noel, 6th Earl of Gainsborough.
Past Seat / Home of: Sir Gerard Noel Noel, 2nd Bt., 18th-19th centuries.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
House Open to Public: No
Historic Houses Member: No