Wilbury House, Grade I listed country house in Newton Tony, England
Wilbury House is a Neo-Palladian country mansion in Newton Tony with a distinctive pale yellow lime-rendered exterior and classical architectural details. The two-story structure displays sash windows, decorative plasterwork, and a balanced composition that reflects 18th-century design principles throughout its form.
William Benson built the original structure around 1710 as one of the first houses in England to revive the architectural ideas of Inigo Jones. This made it an early example of the Neoclassical movement that brought classical Italian design principles back to English country estates.
The house was used as the filming location for Pendersleigh in James Ivory's 1987 film Maurice, which brought the literary story to life on screen. Visitors walking through the rooms can still recognize the spaces shown in that film adaptation.
The house is privately owned but organized tours allow visitors to see the interior and architectural features up close. It is best to arrange visits in advance, as access is limited to specific times and occasions.
An octagonal summerhouse with a domed roof stands northeast of the main building and was originally used to store ice for the household. This small structure reveals how wealthy residents of the 18th century preserved food before modern refrigeration existed.
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