DiCamillo Companion
England

Heaton Hall (Heaton House) (Heaton Park)

  • Earlier Houses: There was at least one earlier house on, or near, the site of the current house.

    House & Family History: Heaton Hall was James Wyatt's first country house (he was only 26 when he was commissioned by Sir Thomas Egerton, later 1st Earl of Wilton, to rebuild the house). Heaton is famous for its impressive 18th century interiors, including the circular Pompeian Room (also called the Cupola Room and the Etruscan Room) with wall paintings by Biagio Rebecca, and the music room, which still has its original Samuel Green organ. Wyatt-designed furniture from Heveningham Hall fills the rooms of the house. As of 2017, Heaton Hall is listed on Historic England's Heritage at Risk register.

    Collections: The collection of 18th century furniture designed by James Wyatt for Heveningham Hall, Suffolk, once on loan to Heaton from English Heritage, is today in storage.

    Comments: Pevsner called Heaton "the finest house of its period in Lancashire and one of the finest in the country."

  • Garden & Outbuildings: With 650 acres of parkland (the landscaping was designed by William Eames and John Webb), Heaton Park is the largest municipal park in Europe. The Heaton Estate was sold to Manchester City Council in 1902 by the 5th Earl of Wilton and today represents 25% of the green space in Manchester. The orangery is extant, as is the temple, an 18th century Grade II*-listed folly designed by James Wyatt that features Tuscan columns and a domed roof (the temple may have once been used by Sir Thomas Egerton as an observatory). The Grade II portico of Dower House (see "Images" section) is all that remains of what was once a sizable 18th century house; the building is today used for beekeeping.

  • Architect: William Eames (Emes)

    Date: 18th century
    Designed: Landscaping

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    Architect: John Webb

    Date: 18th century
    Designed: Landscaping

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    Architect: James Wyatt

    Date: 1772-89
    Designed: Rebuilt House and designed Tuscan Temple for Sir Thomas Egerton, Bt.

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    Architect: Lewis William Wyatt

    Date: Circa 1823
    Designed: Additions and alterations

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  • Title: English Country Houses: Mid Georgian, 1760-1800
    Author: Hussey, Christopher
    Year Published: 1956
    Reference: pgs. 19, 20
    Publisher: London: Country Life Limited
    ISBN: NA
    Book Type: Hardback

    Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
    Author: Colvin, Howard
    Year Published: 1995
    Reference: pg. 1114
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 0300072074
    Book Type: Softback

    Title: Johansens Historic Houses, Castles & Gardens, 2000
    Author: NA
    Year Published: 1999
    Publisher: London: Johansens Ltd.
    ISBN: 1860177166
    Book Type: Softback

  • House Listed: Grade I

    Park Listed: Grade II

  • "Brideshead Revisited" (1981 - TV mini series). "Lost Empires" (1986 - TV mini series, as the bandstand in the park).
  • Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Holland family, 17th century. Sir John Egerton, 3rd Bt., late 17th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Sir Thomas Egerton, 7th Bt., later 1st Earl of Wilton, 18th century; Seymour John Grey Egerton, 4th Earl of Wilton, 19th century; Arthur George Egerton, 5th Earl of Wilton, until 1902.

    Current Ownership Type: Government

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Public Park

    Ownership Details: Since 1902 owned by Manchester City Council

  • House Open to Public: Limited Access to House - Grounds Open to Public

    Phone: 01612-358-888

    Website: https://www.manchester.gov.uk/heatonpark

    Historic Houses Member: No

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