Kingston Lacy, English country house in Wimborne Minster, United Kingdom.
Kingston Lacy is a manor house in the style of Italian country villas in Wimborne Minster, surrounded by a wide park with old trees and paths. The light stone building stands on slightly raised ground and shows symmetrical facades with columns, large windows, and a flat roof that reflects the influence of continental architecture.
Ralph Bankes commissioned architect Roger Pratt in 1665 to build the new house after the family lost their former castle, Corfe Castle, in the Civil War. Later, William John Bankes transformed the interior fundamentally when he brought back and installed Italian artworks and furniture from his travels.
The name comes from the medieval village of Lacy that once stood on the estate, whose owners shaped the area during the 13th century. Visitors today can walk through the rooms and observe the daily life of a family who gathered artworks and keepsakes from around the world over centuries.
The National Trust manages the estate and usually opens the main house in the morning, with interiors accessed via several staircases. Visitors should plan enough time for both areas, as the grounds cover a large area and paths lead through gardens and woodland.
The Spanish Room shows a gilded ceiling from a Venetian palace and walls covered in painted leather, designed by William John Bankes during his exile in Italy. This ensemble is considered one of the most elaborate historic interiors in an English country house and combines Venetian craftsmanship with British collecting passion.
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