Raulings Park

North Front, Raulings Park, Leicestershire

Raulings Park is a country house located in Leicestershire and is the primary country estate of the Marquesses of Raulings. It is the childhood home of characters Julianne Grafton and Katharine Steele. Raulings Park is portrayed by West Wycombe Park, Buckinghamshire.

History

The history of Raulings Park begins in 1543, when a Tudor-style mansion was constructed for Sir Thomas Hampton. When that house was completely destroyed by fire in 1613, the Hampton family lacked the funds to rebuild and instead chose to sell the estate to the Crown. As part of Charles Grafton's ennobling, the property passed to the new Earls of Bridgeton in 1622. The family then commissioned an impressive Restoration style house, which was completed around 1685 and known as Bridgeton Park. It's present appearance is due to the house being in a near constant state of renovation, the latest of which was completed around 1801. The house was renamed Raulings Park upon the receipt of the marquessate by Julian Grafton in 1746. The property still bears a sculpture, however, of Charles Grafton, seated atop his favorite mount.

Charles Grafton

Architectural Style

South Front Colonnade, Raulings Park, Leicestershire

The current incarnation of Raulings Park was inspired by the villas of Venato region of Italy seen by George Grafton, 3rd Earl of Bridgeton on his tours of Europe. Architectural drawings of the original house depict a quite typical, square-shaped manor house. Subsequent renovations, however, transformed the house into a long rectangle, with four pedimented and columned facades, providing an almost theatrical entrance on three sides. Raulings Park is also well known for its frescoes, seen on the south, east, and west fronts. The principal façade is the south front, which features a two-story colonnade of Corinthian columns on the upper floor with Ionic columns on the lower.

Grounds

Temple of Music

The grounds of Raulings Park are positively littered with follies, many of which resemble Grecian temples. Not all are strictly ornamental, however, as the Temple of the Winds holds the mechanisms for providing water to the main house as well as sitting atop the Park's icehouse. The Temple of Music also houses a pianoforte and a harp, allowing for summertime concerts by the ladies of Raulings Park.

Raulings Park also includes a small lake, which is overlooked by the north side of the house and referred to by locals as Lake Grafton. Though not naturally as large as it presently is, Lake Grafton does have a running stream, Bridgeton Creek, flowing through it, which helps keep the water clear and prevents excessive algae growth. Bridgeton Creek also provides power for the property's sawmill.

The Sawmill

The Grafton family coat of arms depicts two lions rampant, which explains the many sculptural depictions of that creature on the property. Two of the most prominent, a lion and his mate, are found on either side of the ?

Interior

Ground Floor Plan

The floor plan of Raulings Park is relatively simple and straightforward, despite the heavy renovations the property has seen. Upon entry through the colonnade on the south front (marked M), one enters into the Hall (A). Should one continue northward (O), the hall opens into the saloon (B), which has views of Lake Grafton and the Temple of Music. To the right of the saloon, accessible through the hall, is the Green Drawing Room (C).

Dining Room

This room is a particular favorite of the Grafton women, as its views of Lake Grafton make for charming subjects for watercolors. To the south of the Green Drawing Room is the Blue Drawing Room (F), which leads into Lord Rauling's private study (D). This room was chosen as such both for the same views enjoyed by the other rooms on the northern side of the house as well as its proximity to the music room (E); Lord Raulings is able to work through estate manager reports while simultaneously enjoying the musical stylings of his youngest daughter, Lady Julianne. The music room also has attractive views of the gardens through the east portico (N).

The Hall (A), from the west end

Returning to the Hall and continue past the staircase (G), one may enter either the dining room (H), the ladies' library (J), or the smoking lounge (K). Beyond the dining room, toward the west portico, are the servants areas. It is rumored that there are underground tunnels leading from this area of the house to other areas of the property, including the ice house in the Temple of the Winds, the boathouse, and the Temple of Music.

The Tunnels (off-limits to anyone but servants)

Images

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  Frescoes, South Front

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  Frescoes, South Front

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  Frescoes, South Front

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  Frescoes, East Front

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  Frescoes, East Front

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  North Front

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  Boathouse, Lake Grafton

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  Bridgeton Creek

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  Bridge over the Lake Grafton

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  The Grounds, with the Temple of Music and Lake Grafton in background

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  The Round Temple

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  The Temple of Winds

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  Apollo's Triumphal Arch

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  Apollo's Triumphal Arch with manor house in background

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  The Ballroom

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  The Blue Drawing Room