Building record 0524400000 - TEMPLE OF THE FOUR WINDS

Plan Form - CIRCULAR & OCTAGONAL
CONSTRUCTED 1758 SURMOUNTING ICE WELL (B1).
TALL 3 STOREY TOWER FLINT RUBBLE ON RED BRICK BASE, STUCCO PANELS. HIPPED OLD TILE ROOF WITH BALL FINIAL. 2 FLIGHTS OF STEPS CONVERGING TO S DOORWAY (B4).
FLINT WALL & SMALL STONE CUPOLA CONTEMPORARY WITH ICE WELL, ROUND TOWER ON TOP OF MOUND LATER (B2).
The Temple of the Winds is an early feature set in direct line with the original carriageway which followed a tree-lined avenue up the slope from the cascade before turning through 90 degrees to approach the south front of the house. The structure was built between 1755-59 (probably by Donowell) to resemble Stuart and Revett's illustration of the Tower of the Winds at Athens. Essentially a five storey octagonal tower (to reflect the eight classical winds) in brick, flint and stucco, the structure is considered to be one of the earliest attempts in England to reproduce a monumentof antiquity. The main doorway is overlarge, with a broken segmental pediment, and is thought to have originated as the south entrance to the early (c1710) house. The flint screen of arches andobelisks to the south can be attributed to Donowell as it closely resembles a drawing in his hand entitled 'Temple of Winter at the Bottom'. It provides the entrance to an earlier icehouse retained beneath the tower (B6).