Chesters (Humshaugh)
Chesters is an 18th century country mansion situated adjacent to Hadrian's Wall and the Roman fort of Cilurnum at Humshaugh in Northumberland. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]
The house was built for John Errington of Walwick Grange[2] in about 1771 with three storeys and four bays but was much improved and extended by architect Richard Norman Shaw|Norman Shaw in 1891. The 1891 work included five two-storeyed three-bay wings and a stable block. The stable block is separately Grade II* listed.[3]
Of the five wings, three were diagonal, creating suntrap flanks for the south and west fronts.[1] Shaw's remodelling of Chesters kindled the popularity of the Butterfly plan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.[4]
The estate was acquired by Nathaniel Clayton[2] (Town Clerk of Newcastle upon Tyne 1785–1822) in 1796. His son John Clayton who succeeded him as Town Clerk in 1822 was a keen antiquarian and excavated the ruins of the Roman fort of Cilurnam adjacent to the house. He made a large collection of Roman artefacts, which is now displayed at Chesters Museum.
Outside links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 National Heritage List 1155585: Chesters
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Beauties of England and Wales; Delineations Topographical, Historical and Descriptive Vol XII Pt I Rev J Hodgson and FC Laird (1813) p135 Google Books
- ↑ National Heritage List 1370562: Stable Block north of Chesters
- ↑ Beckett, Matthew (24 October 2012). "The Butterfly House". New architecture blog. Country Life. http://www.countrylife.co.uk/culture/country-house-architecture/new-architecture-blog-the-butterfly-house-10206.
- Location map: 55°1’37"N, 2°8’42"W