Fonthill Splendens

Fonthill Splendens was a country mansion in Wiltshire, built by Alderman William Beckford; building began in 1755 and was largely complete by 1770.

This substantial mansion was built in the Neo-Palladian style, largely based on the design of Houghton Hall in Norfolk.

[6] All services such as the kitchen and brewhouse were confined to the separate wings, internal passageways in the quadrants connecting them to the central block.

Architecturally, the house was considered a rather old-fashioned design, some twenty years out of date compared to the latest styles.

[9] He was brought up in the house, and while he travelled extensively to Europe from 1777 and had various London townhouses, he nevertheless continued to carry out alterations and improvements.

Beckford ordered the demolition of the mansion in 1807, despite being urged not to by his architect, Wyatt, and his son-in-law, Alexander, Marquess of Douglas (later the 10th Duke of Hamilton).

[2] Variously described at the time as a "palace" and "magnificent", recent research has restored Fonthill Splendens to its place as an important building in the history of the English country house in the second half of the 18th century.

In his biography of Beckford, the noted architectural historian James Lees-Milne states that "the Marquess of Douglas begged him piteously to save what was a classical masterpiece".

[12] The volumes William Beckford 1760 – 1844: an Eye for the Magnificent and Fonthill Recovered – A Cultural History provide detailed summaries of the building, its appearance and how it was used.