Raulings Park
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.
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.
Architectural Style
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.
Grounds
The grounds of Raulings Park are positively littered with follies, many of which resemble Grecian temples.