A vision of Britain from 1801 to now.
Including maps, statistical trends and historical descriptions.
LONGLEAT, the seat of the Marquis of Bath, in Deverill-Longbridge parish, Wilts; on an affluent of the river Frome, 2½ miles W of Warminster. It occupies the site of an Augustinian priory, a cell, founded in the time of Edward I., and annexed to Hinton abbey, in Somerset. It was built, in 1567-79, by Sir John Thynne, after designs by John of Padua, at a cost of £80,000. It was improved by the second Lord Weymouth, created Marquis of Bath; and was afterwards remodelled, in a tasteful manner, by Jeffrey Wyatt. It measures 220 feet by 180; is in a mixed Roman style, ornamented with pilasters, cornices, and colossal statues; presents an imposing appearance, with a great array of windows; contains a fine baronial hall, and a rich collection of portraits and other pictures; and stands in a beautiful park, 15 miles in circuit, altered and laid out by "Capability ''Brown. Bishop Ken spent much time at Longleat, and died here.
(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))
Linked entities: | |
---|---|
Feature Description: | "the seat" (ADL Feature Type: "residential sites") |
Administrative units: | Wiltshire AncC |
Place: | Longleat |
Go to the linked place page for a location map, and for access to other historical writing about the place. Pages for linked administrative units may contain historical statistics and information on boundaries.