You can't help but admire an architect who has the chutzpah to attempt a recreation of the Pantheon, one of Rome's most famous (and best-preserved) classical buildings – especially when that homage is made as part of a house in Northumbria.
Yet that is precisely what the great architect John Dobson attempted when penning the plans for Longhirst Hall, a magnificent late-Georgian mansion near Morpeth which is now on the market after a major revamp.
This imposing Grade II-listed country house was built by Dobson in 1824 for William Lawson, and is hailed as the first of the architect's great country houses.
Dobson later went on to design most of Grey Street in Newcastle, a famously-beautiful sweep of buildings which inspired the late John Betjeman to wax lyrical: "As for the curve of Grey Street, I shall never forget seeing it to perfection, traffic-less on a misty Sunday morning. Not even Regent Street, even old Regent Street London, can compare with that descending subtle curve."
It's fascinating to see in this house, then, Dobson's ambition already flourishing. The original main entrance includes a magnificent pedimented portico supported on giant Corinthian columns, opening into a spectacular ashlar-faced central hall with Ionic columns and a central glazed dome.
The sweeping Imperial staircase to one end has a wrought-iron balustrade with an anthemion frieze which wraps around the galleried first-floor landing. And above is the coffered dome, the aforementioned replica of the Pantheon.
Sadly, the house had fallen on touch times, but has been beautifully restored (by Dere Street Homes) and split into four separate residences. Purists may regret that such a grand building hasn't been kept as one house, but on balance we'd rather see Longhirst altered but beautifully-restored rather than neglected.
Of the four homes, the rather unromantically-named 'Unit 1' is the pick of the bunch, and is the place featured on this page with an asking price of £1.65 million via agents Strutt & Parker. It includes that incredible entrance, hall, staircase and domed ceiling, while the reception rooms are also wonderfully proportioned and adorned with ornate plasterwork and full-height windows.
The drawing room is especially stately, with its semi-circular bow window and stunning views across the grounds landscaped after the style of Capability Brown, with a ha-ha overlooking the paddock. Directly above the master bedroom shares the same views.
The kitchen and breakfast rooms are planned but so-far unfinished, allowing the new owners to specify exactly what they want included.
Much of the rest of the house is already complete or close to complete, however, and includes a fine checklist of things modern buyers love to see at the top end of the market: a library, study, wine cellar and cinema room as well as the seven bedrooms and almost as many bathrooms.
Longhirst Hall is for sale through Strutt & Parker – see more details and pictures of Unit 1 here, while further details of the other units can be obtained from the agents.
Credit: Justin Paget for the Country Life Picture Library
Magisterial and picturesque: The Master’s Lodge at St John's College, Cambridge
Between 1863 and 1865, Sir George Gilbert Scott created a new lodge for the Master of St John’s College, Cambridge.
Credit: Doncaster Mansion House - Paul Highnam / Country Life
A masterpiece by a master: James Paine's design for the Doncaster Mansion House
The great architect James Paine was born exactly 300 years ago – to celebrate his achievements Richard Hewlings takes a look
-
A micro estate for sale in west Wales shows that the best things come in small packages. In this case, three of themBrithdir is a remarkable collection of properties centred around a lake and just five miles from the sea.
-
This blissful converted mill has sweeping views, a breathtaking library and gardens by a Chelsea gold medallistPenny Churchill takes a look at Stanbridge Mill, one of the finest properties for sale today in the west country.
-
Portmore has it all: A 3,459-acre Scottish estate for sale, with a signature Baronial sandstone mansion at its heartFor sale for the first time in 40 years, Portmore Estate is everything you could ever want in Scotland.
-
Location, community and charm: the enduring desirability of London's mews housesFrom birds, to horses, to beautiful family homes, the mews of London are some of the nation's most sought-after homes. But why?
-
The distinctive and historic home that might just be 'one of Dorset’s most picturesque'Grade II*-listed Manor House, set in just under eight acres, dates from the 16th century.
-
A 17th century farmhouse in Surrey with one of Britain's oldest squash courtsFords Farm is on the market for the first time in over half a century.
-
The 15 best-value commuter towns for people working in London, according to new research from one of Britain's top estate agentsSavills have released their list of the best-value commuter towns in Britain. But do the sums add up? Toby Keel takes a look.
-
What everyone is talking about this week: Where are the new Cotswolds?The appearance of American Vice President J. D. Vance in the Cotswolds is a sure sign that they're saturated, but where else can you escape to that has the same charm?
