S.
St. John, —— Esq. [99]. (see [Ash Park])
Saltonstall, Miss, [25]. (see [Hatchford])
Saltram, [122], the seat of Lord Boringdon. This mansion is said to be the largest in the county, covering an area 135 feet by 170. The principal suit of apartments is on the ground floor, which are elegantly fitted up, and adorned with an extensive and valuable collection of pictures; the upper apartments are also embellished with a number of fine drawings, by the most celebrated ancient masters, and many good portraits.
The grounds possess many singular attractions: an extensive diversity of landscape and massy wood, Plymouth Sound, the Town, Citadel, Mount Edgecumbe, the Sea, and Harbour, with its endless variety of amusement. The internal beauties of Saltram are also extremely numerous: a bold irregularity of surface characterises the grounds, and renders the variety unceasing. Myrtles are here seen flourishing all the year in the open air, and oranges and lemons are brought to maturity, and produce ripe and perfect fruit.
Sanderson, R. Esq. [53]. (see [Norbury Farm])
Sandford, —— Esq. [193].
Sargent, J. Esq. [39]. (see [Wool Lavington])
Savernake Lodge, [182], a seat of the Earl of Aylesbury. A neat modern building, situated in the midst of the forest; it was erected as a residence for the present proprietor, when Lord Bruce. Savernake Forest is the only one in the kingdom belonging to a subject; it embraces an extent of ground about sixteen miles in circumference, including Tottenham Park, the family seat. The whole of which is richly wooded, among which are some remarkably fine oaks.
Sclater, —— Esq. [99]. (see [Tangier])
Scotland, —— Esq. [159]. (see [Manor House])
Scott, Sir W. [177]. (see [Early Court])
Selsey, Lord, [36]. (see [Cannon House])
Send Grove, [26].
Sergison, Rev. Mr. [50]. (see [Cuckfield Place])
Serle, —— Esq. [211]. (see [Chilworth House])
Shawford House, [78].
Shaw House, [180], the seat of Sir Joseph Andrews. This is a large edifice, built with brick and stone, and is celebrated for having been the head quarters of Charles the First, at the time of the last battle of Newbury. In an oak wainscot in one of the rooms, is a hole, said to be occasioned by a musquet shot fired through one of the windows at the King, while standing near it. It is an ancient mansion, much enclosed by wood.
Shaw House, [200].
Shelly, Sir T. [218]. (see [Castle Goring])
Sherborne Castle, [140], the beautiful seat of Earl Digby, is a singular structure, both in external appearance, and the arrangement of the interior, having been erected at different periods, under different proprietors. The ground plan resembles the Roman letter H. The centre part, which is the most ancient, was built by Sir Walter Raleigh. The apartments contain several portraits, and a painting, representing the celebrated procession of Queen Elizabeth. The park, containing 340 acres, is finely wooded; and from the variety of its grounds, water, &c. is justly celebrated for its picturesque beauty.
Sherfield House, [210].
Shillinglee Park, [38].
Shirley House, [220].
Shockerwick, [186].
Shuldham, —— Esq. [115]. (see [Deer Park])
Shute Park, [114].
Sion Hill, [70], an elegant little villa belonging to the Duke of Marlborough. The house is a handsome building, and the grounds pleasant and well wooded.
Sion House, [70], a seat belonging to the Duke of Northumberland. The approach to this mansion from the road is ornamented by a beautiful arch, with an open colonnade, and a handsome lodge on each side, forming an elegant piece of architecture. Sion House derives its name from a monastery, founded by Henry the Fifth, the walls of which, with some alterations, still remain. This magnificent structure is built of stone, in the form of a hollow square, having at each angle a square tower, considerably higher than the intermediate parts of the building: the roof is flat, surrounded by embattled turrets, and the east front is supported on arches, forming a noble piazza. It is most charmingly situated in a spacious lawn, on the northern bank of the Thames, diversified by a pleasing variety of woody scenery, and commanding fine views of the royal gardens of Richmond. The apartments are spacious, fitted up and decorated in the antique style, and are worthy of notice by the curious. The great hall is two stories high, ornamented by antique marble figures, standing on pedestals.
Sion House, [114].
Slab House, [189].
Slindon House, [42], [216], the seat of the Earl of Newburgh. At the north end of a well-wooded park, stands this noble old mansion, on a fine eminence, commanding a magnificent view of the sea to the south, Chichester Cathedral, and numerous other objects. The internal arrangements are judicious, and the decorations appropriate, with some good paintings, chiefly portraits. Here is also an elegant chapel, and a well-furnished library.
Sloane, Hans, Esq. [86]. (see [Paultons Park])
Smith, W. Esq. [78]. (see [Bambridge])
Somers, Lord, [47]. (see [The Priory])
South Broom House, [199].
Southwick Park, [214].
Speke, W. Esq. [168]. (see [Jordans House])
Spencer, Earl, [23]. (see [Wimbledon Park])
Spicer, J. Esq. [25]. (see [Esher Place])
Spring Grove, [70], a neat house, the summer residence of Sir Joseph Banks, President of the Royal Society, and celebrated for his great knowledge in botany.
Spy Park, [185], the seat of Col. Thornton. Near the south-west extremity of the park, on lofty ground, stands the house, commanding a fine and distant prospect. The structure itself is old, but it is ornamented with a modern front. It is remarkable as having been once the property and residence of the celebrated Earl of Rochester.
Stalbridge Park, [140].
Standerwick Court, [205].
Standlinch House, [209]. (now) Trafalgar Park, the seat of Earl Nelson. This edifice is built of brick, composed of a centre and two wings. The pleasure grounds are extensive, abundantly supplied with wood, and bounded on one side by the river Avon, which greatly heightens the beauty of the scenery. In this neighbourhood are some delightfully diversified and extensive views.
Stanhope, Earl, [17]. (see [Chevening])
Stanmer Park, [60], the seat of the Earl of Chichester. This mansion is a plain stone edifice, consisting of a centre and two wings, which together form three sides of a square. The principal front, facing the east, projects in the centre, and is terminated with a pediment. The mansion encloses a quadrangular court on the side towards the pleasure grounds. The park is laid out with much taste and judgment, but the wood is chiefly young plantations.
Stanwell Place, [174].
Stawell, Lord, [81].
Stead, Col. [180]. (see [Donnington Castle])
Stirling, —— Esq. [62]. (see [Thorn Croft])
Stinsford House, [109].
Stockton House, [207].
Stoke Park, [175], the seat of John Penn, Esq. one of the most charming residences in this part of the country. The house is built with brick, and covered with stucco: it consists of a large square centre, with two wings. The north front is ornamented with a colonnade, and approached by a flight of steps leading to the marble hall. The south front, 196 feet in length, is also adorned with a colonnade, above which is a projecting portico, sustaining an ornamental pediment. This mansion combines exterior magnificence with internal elegance and convenience, and is enriched with some good pictures. The park, though rather flat, commands some fine views, and is laid out with considerable taste.
Stoke Place, [26].
Stone Castle, [3], the seat of R. Talbot, Esq. originally a castellated dwelling; but a small square tower, now standing at the east end of the present mansion, is the only part that has any appearance of a fortress.
Stone Quarry House, [57].
Stour Head House, [172], the seat of Sir Richard Colt Hoare, Bart. The mansion was erected about the year 1721, by Henry Hoare, Esq. ancestor of the present possessor. Various alterations have subsequently been made, among which the erection of two wings, in 1798, are the most considerable, the one of which is appropriated to a picture gallery, and the other to a library; and, together with the other apartments, contain an exceedingly valuable and choice collection of paintings, drawings, books, and curiosities.
The pleasure grounds of Stour Head have an exalted claim to our attention, being replete with sylvan beauties, and picturesque varieties. The scenery, naturally grand and diversified, consisting of ridges of hills, deep narrow vallies, and rivulets, has been most judiciously cultivated. The sides and summits of the eminences are clothed with wood; one of the vallies is filled with water, by means of an artificial dam; and the woods and groves are enlivened throughout with walks, temples, seats, &c. From the house a close avenue of laurel hedges leads to the brow of a precipice, beneath which is seen the village church, and a few neat cottages in a dale; beyond it another hill rises equally rapid, covered with wood. From this spot a path, winding through a fine plantation, conducts to a spacious lake, which, though formed by art, presents a beautifully wild and diversified appearance, in some places, forming narrow creeks, and at other parts spreading its expansive bosom “to the garish eye of day.” In many parts it is enveloped in hanging woods, through which several temples appearing, greatly increase the beauty of the coup-d’œil. The description here given can convey but a very faint idea of the numerous beauties contained in these extensive and truly delightful gardens.
Within the grounds is an encampment of a circular form, consisting of a double ditch and vallum, with entrances towards the east and west: it occupies the entire ridge of a hill, and from the precipitous nature of the ground on all sides, must have been of considerable strength. The area within the outer ditch embraces an extent of seven acres, and its circuit is upwards of three furlongs. Near this entrenchment rises the Stour river, contiguous to the springs of which the ground ascends, rising westward to the summit of a considerable eminence, called King’s Settle, on which stands a lofty tower, built in honour of Alfred the Great, by Henry Hoare, Esq. grandfather to the present proprietor of Stour Head. Its form is triangular, with round towers at each corner, and it is one hundred and sixty feet high: a flight of steps on the inside leads to the top, which commands a most extensive and richly diversified prospect. Over the entrance is a statue of the Saxon Prince, with a tablet underneath, bearing the following inscription: “Alfred the Great, A. D. 879, on this summit erected his standard against Danish Invaders. To him we owe the origin of Juries, and the Creation of a Naval Force. Alfred, the light of a benighted Age, was a Philosopher and a Christian, the Father of his People, and Founder of the English Monarchy and Liberties.” Westward of this tower is an immense tumulus, denominated Jack’s Castle, which, when opened, was found to contain some burnt bones, with a small lance head of brass, and an axe, made of Sienite stone. The latter in a very perfect state.
Stover House, [118].
Stratton Park, [76].
Streatham Park, [52], late Mrs. Piozzi.
Stretfield, R. T. Esq. [58]. (see [the Rocks])
Sulhampsted House, [178].
Sullivan, Right Hon. John, [175]. (see [Richings Lodge])
Sutton Place, [26], the seat of J. W. Weston, Esq. This structure, which was built about the year 1530, is composed of brick, finished with a double sculptured plat band of a yellowish brick, running round the top, with coins and window cases of the same; and, according to the style of the time in which it was built, is a handsome building. The form is quadrangular, encompassing an area of near eighty feet square; the principal entrance being by a gateway, having a lofty hexagonal turret at each angle, with coins of the yellow brick above mentioned, alternately charged with R. W. and a Tun, being a quaint device for the name of the builder, R. Weston. The north side of this edifice is entirely occupied by a hall, 50 feet long, 25 wide, and 31 high. The present owner has made great improvements in the house and grounds.