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England

Pradoe (Pradoe House)

  • House & Family History: The Hon. Thomas Kenyon, a younger son of the 1st Lord Kenyon of Gredington in Flintshire, bought Pradoe in 1803 as an estate for his bride, Charlotte Lloyd, of the neighboring Aston Hall Estate. The Georgian brick house of 1785, which had been designed by neighboring polymath John Dovaston, was altered several times for the Kenyons as their family grew, and to reflect the changing fashions of the times. John Hiram Haycock of Shrewsbury altered the staircase and John Carline added the lofty dining room, both in the early 19th century. The drawing room was extended with an elegant elliptical-arched opening at the joint of the two rooms—an addition effected by the Greek Revival architect Thomas Harrison of Chester. Pradoe was immortalized in the book "A House That Was Loved," written by Katherine Kenyon in 1941. Recently restored, the house is now home to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Kenyon and their children. (We are most grateful to Gareth Williams for this history of Pradoe.)

    Collections: Much of the collection reflects Pradoe's Regency period, with portraits by Philip Corbet of Shrewsbury and furniture by Thomas Donaldson and Gillows.

  • Garden & Outbuildings: The house stands in a pretty park landscaped by John Webb for its first Kenyon owners.

  • Architect: Thomas Harrison

    Date: 19th century
    Designed: Extended Drawing Room with elliptical-arched opening

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    Architect: John Webb

    Date: 19th century
    Designed: Lanscaping for Kenyon family

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    Architect: John Dovaston

    Date: 1785
    Designed: House for Rev. Pritchard

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    Architect: John Carline II

    Date: 1810-12
    Designed: Designed and built Dining Room for The Hon. Thomas Kenyon

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    Architect: John Hiram Haycock

    Date: 1816
    Designed: Alterations to House, including staircase.

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  • Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
    Author: Colvin, Howard
    Year Published: 1995
    Reference: pg. 215
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 0300072074
    Book Type: Softback

  • House Listed: Grade II*

    Park Listed: Grade II

  • "Evacuation To The Manor House" (2008 - BBC TV documentary series, second series of "Evacuation").
  • Current Seat / Home of: Andrew and Rachael Kenyon

    Past Seat / Home of: Pritchard family, 18th century. The Hon. Thomas Kenyon, 19th century.

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

  • House Open to Public: No

    Historic Houses Member: No