Fonthill Abbey, Gothic Revival country house in Fonthill Gifford, England
Fonthill Abbey is a country house near Fonthill Gifford in England, designed in the revival style with stone portals and pointed arches. Today only the north wing remains standing, while the rest of the complex was lost after a collapse in the early 19th century.
Construction began in the late 18th century following plans by James Wyatt for William Thomas Beckford, continued until 1813, and ended with the collapse of the main tower in 1825. This early disaster shaped the later history of the estate and led to its present fragmentary state.
The estate name honors medieval building traditions through pointed windows and tall stone walls that recall monastic life. Visitors today see how a private individual borrowed church forms for a personal residence.
Only the north wing survives from the original building, as construction flaws caused the loss of the other sections. Visitors should keep in mind that the floor plan has been heavily altered by the partial demolition.
The building site ran day and night with around 500 workers to complete the ambitious project quickly. This haste probably contributed to the flaws that later led to the collapse.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
