MERR-ee-worth

England

Kent

Mereworth

51.25405

0.39025

1720

1725

Fully Extant

Grade I

Grade II*

No

C. III, pls. 35-38, 1725.

XLVII, 808, 876 plan, 912, 1920.

2.S. Vol. II, 1825.

No

Individual / Family Trust

Private Home

Mahdi Al-Tajir, since 1976.

John Fane, later 7th Earl of Westmorland, 18th century. Viscount Falmouth, 19th century. Sir Francis Dashwood, 18th century. Sir T. Stapledon. Lady le Despencer, 19th century. Lord Oranmore and Browne (Lord Mereworth), 20th century. Viscount Rothermere, 20th century. Tree family, 20th century.

Col. John Fane, later 7th Earl of Westmorland

Col. John Fane inherited Mereworth, then a small moated castle, from a cousin, Mildmay Fane, in the early 18th century. Col. Fane spent over £100,000 on Mereworth before his death, childless, in 1762. He had a successful life: he received an Irish peerage from Robert Walpole in 1733, married a Cavendish, and succeeded as 7th Earl of Westmorland in 1736. His architect, Colen Campbell, writing in "Vitruvius Britannicus, Vol. III": "never Architect had a more beneficent or liberal Patron where neither ignorance, caprice, nor covetousness had any part". The circular domed Saloon is 35 feet in diameter and soars 80 feet to its top. The ceilings at Mereworth appear to be the earliest 18th century "architecturally compartmented design," derived from Palladio, still surviving. This type of ceiling was originally introduced into England by Inigo Jones. Mereworth's interiors are noted for plasterwork by Francesco Bagutti and fresco painting by Francesco Sleter. One of the most clever designs at Mereworth is the funneling of the chimney flues through the lantern, thereby making them virtually invisible. The Pavilions are probably a later design of Campbell's, and house the Stables, offices, and the Brewhouse. The South Loggia contains trompe l'oeil frescoes in grisaille, possibly by Borgnis. In a room behind the East Pavilion is the Shell Room (rocaille), much like the same at Goodwood Park, circa 1740, by the 2nd Duchess of Richmond. After the Earl's death, Mereworth went to his sister's son, Sir Francis Dashwood; it has been suggested that his rebuilding of his seat, West Wycombe Park in Buckinghamshire, was inspired by Mereworth. The House passed by descent to Barons Oranmore and Browne (in 1926 the 3rd Baron was also created Baron Mereworth) and remained their seat until sold in 1930. During World War II Mereworth was used as a prisoner of war camp. Mereworth is one of five Palladian houses built in Britain based on Palladio's famous 16th century Villa Rotunda outside Vicenza (the others being Nuthall Temple, Nottinghamshire [demolished]; Henbury Hall, Cheshire; Chiswick House, Greater London; and Foots Cray Place, Kent [demolished]). The House is today a private residence and not open to the public.

The following from Christopher Hussey, writing in "English Country Houses: Early Georgian": Mereworth is the first and closest of the four English reproductions of Palladio's Villa Capra at Vicenza. It is also, since the destruction of Wanstead House, the earliest complete realization in England of the Palladian style..." Horace Walpole, visiting Mereworth in 1752, wrote that he found it "so perfect in the Palladian taste that it has recovered me a little from the Gothic."

Mereworth was at one time surrounded by a moat. It was filled in at an uncertain date and replaced by formal gardens, circa 1860, by Lord Falmouth.

Lord Westmorland rebuilt the existing church to a design inspired by St. Paul's, Covent Garden.

"Casino Royale" (1967).