gatehouse st giles house
conservation on shell grotto in july 2014
during world war i, part of st giles house used hospital, , in world war ii, requisitioned , used school, 9th earl , family moving apartment within house. in 1954 burden of running house became great , family retreated dower house, known mainsail haul. manor house located near centre of wimborne st giles. st giles largely unoccupied apart 1 wing used estate office. intention of returning st giles original design, in 1973 10th earl demolished southwest wing , kitchen wing, victorian tower. joinery business operated basement – during 10th earl s tenure, estate woodlands restored , million trees planted.
however, 2001 st giles house recorded on register of buildings @ risk, indicating neglect , decay. following inheritance of estate in 2005, 12th earl embarked on ambitious restoration of house , park. achievement recognised in 2015, when st giles won historic houses association , sotheby’s restoration award year. family have returned live in st giles, residing in apartment in 1 wing.
garden grotto , estate park
the garden grotto, c. 1751–53 , estate park both recorded on register grade ii* listed buildings. grade ii* list records buildings (and parks , gardens) particularly important [with] more special interest .
built of flint , rubble tiled , slated roof, grotto positioned structure appears source of spring feeding ornamental lake. ante-chamber lined flints, fossils , minerals, , main chamber has walls lined shells, fossils, coral , stone. of shells sent caribbean father of william thomas beckford of fonthill. rather shell room, grotto attempt create room felt underwater, , considered remarkable example of antique surrealism. after falling decay, restored 12th earl.
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