The Gatehouse, as seen from the Mansion.
One of the great glories of Westwood is its water. It has three lakes, the largest of which, no less than seventy acres in extent, forms a grand feature in the landscape, and, with its many swans and the numbers of wild fowl that congregate upon and around it, adds much to the beauty of the park scenery. On one side the lake is backed up by a wood through which, on the banks, a delightful grassy walk leads to the Boat-house, from whose upper rooms delightful views of land and water are obtained.
The Entrance Porch.
The principal apartments in this noble mansion are the Great Hall, or Front Hall, as it is usually called; the Library, the Dining and Drawing Rooms, the Saloon, the Grand Staircase, and the Chapel; but, besides these, there are a number of other rooms, and all the usual family and domestic apartments and offices. To the interior, however, we can but devote a very brief space.
The Entrance Porch (shown in the preceding engraving), on the north front, opens into the Front Hall. This occupies the entire length of the main body of the building from east to west, and is about sixty feet in length. The entrance door is in the centre, and on either side are deeply recessed mullioned and transomed windows, and there is a similar window at each end. From one of the recesses a doorway and steps lead up to the Dining-room; while from the other, in a similar manner, access is gained to the Library. On the opposite side a doorway leads to the Grand Staircase. This hall, one part of which is also used as a billiard-room, contains some magnificent old carved furniture and cabinets, and the walls are hung with family portraits. In the windows are a series of stained-glass armorial bearings and inscriptions, representing the arms of Pakington and the family alliances. These are:—
1413. Robert Pakington and Elizabeth Acton.
1436. John Pakington and Margaret Ballard.
1490. John Pakington and Elizabeth Washbourne.