DiCamillo Companion
England

Hackwood Park

  • House & Family History: In 1850 the Bolton family decamped to their other seat, Bolton Hall in Yorkshire; thus, from the 1850s until 1936, Hackwood was let, together with all its furniture, to a succession of notable tenants, including Charles Hoare of the famous banking family; Lord Westbury, attorney general and chancellor of the Exchequer; the Earl of Wilton; and the queen of the Belgians, who lived at Hackwood with her family after fleeing the German army during World War I. In 1936 William Berry, 1st Baron and 1st Viscount Camrose, purchased Hackwood from Lord Bolton. Lord Camrose made his fortune in the newspaper business (the first three viscounts all headed "The Daily Telegraph"). In 2016 Hackwood, together with 260 acres, was listed for sale for £65 million.

    Collections: On April 20, 21, and 22, 1998, Christie's conducted an auction of the contents of the Hackwood, the star of which was a Gillows Regency brass and inlaid rosewood library desk (originally supplied to William Powlett, 2nd Baron Bolton [1782-1850], for Hackwood), which sold for £254,500 (lot 21), against a high estimate of £150,000. A George III giltwood pier glass attributed to John Vardy sold for £106,000, against a high estimate of £50,000. Seven thousand people viewed the sale, which brought a record-breaking £7,030,908. A painting of Hackwood, "Hackwood Park, Hampshire," 1763-64, by Paul Sandby is today in the collection of the Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, Connecticut.

  • Garden & Outbuildings: Laid out by the first three dukes of Bolton, Hackwood is noted for its classical gardens that surrounds the house. The early (circa 1720) formal woodland garden in the (French) style of Le Notre was probably designed by James Gibbs and laid out with a geometric pattern of avenues, basins, canals, and classical follies. There were later alterations to the gardens in the 18th century and early 19th century. An equestrian statue of George I as a Roman emperor is in the grounds. The statue was a gift from the king to the 3rd Duke of Bolton. Lord Curzon, during his time at Hackwood in the 20th century, created a new garden. Today owned by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Crabtree Plantation (formerly a part of Hackwood) became detached from the estate when the M3 motorway was built.

  • Architect: Charles Bridgeman

    Date: Circa 1725-30
    Designed: Landscaping
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
    View all houses

    Architect: Lewis William Wyatt

    Date: 1810-13
    Designed: Remodeled House, together with Samuel Wyatt.

    View all houses

    Architect: James Gibbs

    Date: Circa 1720
    Designed: Gardens, including follies, in the style of Le Notre, and Portico on House (removed during circa 1805 alterations).
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
    View all houses

    Architect: William Talman

    Date: 1683-88
    Designed: House for 1st Duke of Bolton
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
    View all houses

    Architect: John Vardy Sr.

    Date: 1760s
    Designed: Remodeled House, including altertion of South Front, for 5th Duke of Bolton.

    View all houses

    Architect: Samuel Wyatt

    Date: 1810-13
    Designed: Remodeled House, together with Lewis Wyatt.

    View all houses
  • 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. II, 1819.

    Country Life: XXXIII, 706 plan, 742, 1913.

  • Title: Christie's Auction Catalog: Hackwood Park, Basingstoke, Hampshire, Apr 20, 21, 22, 1998
    Author: NA
    Year Published: 1998
    Reference: pgs. 32, 34, 70
    Publisher: London: Christie's
    ISBN: NA
    Book Type: Softback

    Title: This Other Eden: Paintings From the Yale Center for British Art
    Author: Warner, Malcolm; Alexander, Julia Marciari
    Year Published: 1998
    Reference: pg. 76
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 0300074980
    Book Type: Hardback

    Title: Kedleston Hall Guidebook - 2001
    Author: Various Authors
    Year Published: 2001
    Reference: pg. 45
    Publisher: London: The National Trust
    ISBN: NA
    Book Type: Light Softback

    Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
    Author: Colvin, Howard
    Year Published: 1995
    Reference: pg. 950, 953
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 0300072074
    Book Type: Softback

  • House Listed: Grade II*

    Park Listed: Grade I

  • Past Seat / Home of: Admiral Harry Powlett, 6th Duke of Bolton and 11th Marquess of Winchester, 18th century; William Powlett, 2nd Baron Bolton, 19th century. Richard Bethell, 1st Baron Westbury, 19th century. Charles Hoare. Seymour John Grey Egerton, 4th Earl of Wilton, 19th century. George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, 1906-25. William Ewart Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose, 20th century; Berry family here 1936-97.

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

  • House Open to Public: No

    Phone: 01256-328-801

    Historic Houses Member: No

VISIT AND HELP PRESERVE HISTORIC BRITISH HOUSES

Help preserve Britain’s privately owned country houses by joining Historic Houses. Use code DICAM7 for a £7 discount off a new membership that will give you access to hundreds of historic houses.

Join Now

The DiCamillo Companion does not receive any compensation from the Historic Houses Association.