Whitley Beaumont House

Earlier Houses: There was at least one earlier house on, or near, the site of the 17th century house.

Built / Designed For: Sir Richard Beaumont, 1st Bt.

House & Family History: The house's fittings and fixtures were sold in 1917.
Garden & Outbuildings: The unfortunately named Black Dick's Temple is a folly on the estate that was named after Sir Richard Beaumont, 1st Bt., for whom the 17th century Whitley Beaumont House was built. Though Sir Richard was long dead before the folly was built in the mid-18th century, the locals named the now-derelict temple after him based on the legend (for which there is no proof) that Sir Richard became so indebted because of losses from cockfighting and gambling that he prowled the roads by night as a highwayman. Since the 1920s the Boy Scouts have used part of the estate for camping. Sir Richard may have acquired the nickname of Black Dick because of his swarthy appearance.
Architect: Theophilus Shelton

Date of Birth: ?
Date of Death: 1717
Nationality: English
Notes: Shelton, a gentleman Yorkshire architect, was probably a lawyer by profession.

Date: 1699
Designed: Garden house for Richard Beaumont, which may not have been built.

View all houses

Architect: James Paine Sr.

Date of Birth: 1717
Date of Death: 1789
Nationality: British
Notes: Paine's first major work was the building of Nostell Priory, which took seven years and made his name as an architect. Christopher Hussey stated that Paine had such a successful country house practice that "Robert Taylor and Paine divided the country house practice of Egnland between them."

Date: Circa 1752-54
Designed: Redecorated interiors, including Great Hall, for Richard Beaumont VI.

View all houses

Architect: James Paine Sr.

Date of Birth: 1717
Date of Death: 1789
Nationality: British
Notes: Paine's first major work was the building of Nostell Priory, which took seven years and made his name as an architect. Christopher Hussey stated that Paine had such a successful country house practice that "Robert Taylor and Paine divided the country house practice of Egnland between them."

Date: Circa 1760
Designed: Black Dick’s Temple
(Attribution of this work is uncertain)
View all houses

Architect: Lancelot Brown

Date of Birth: 1716
Date of Death: 1783
Nationality: British
Nickname: Capability
Notes: Often called "the Shakespeare of gardening," Brown was the foremost proponent, and one of the developers, of the English "natural" style of gardens. He was surveyor to His Majesty's Gardens and Waters at Hampton Court and designed some of the most important landscapes in England.

Date: Circa 1780
Designed: Landscape for Richard Henry Beaumont

View all houses
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 2008
Reference: pgs. 770, 919
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300125085
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Demolished

Park Listed: Not Listed
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSES: Sir John de Beaumont, until 1354; Richard Beaumont I, until 1531; Richard Beaumont II, 1531-74; Edward Beaumont, 1574-75. SEATED AT 17TH CENTURY HOUSE: Sir Richard Beaumont, 1st Bt., until 1631; Sir Thomas Beaumont, 1631-68; Richard Beaumont III, 1668-92; Richard Beaumont IV, 1692-1704; Richard Beaumont V, 1704-23; Henry Beaumont, 1723-43; Richard Beaumont VI, 1743-64; Richard Henry Beaumont, 1764-1810; John Beaumont, 1810-20; Richard Henry Beaumont, 1820-57; Henry Frederick Beaumont, 1857-1913; Henry Ralph Beaumont, 1913-24. Charles Sutcliffe, early 20th century.

Current Ownership Type: Demolished

Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished
House Open to Public: No
Historic Houses Member: No

Whitley Beaumont House

House, Family & Collections History

Gardens, Outbuildings, Chapel & Church History

Architects

Bibliography / Reading List for this House

Listings for House & Park

Families Who’ve Lived Here / Current Ownership Type & Use

Access

VISIT AND HELP PRESERVE HISTORIC BRITISH HOUSES