The Saving of Wotton House in the Fifties and Sixties

Abstract

The saving of Wotton House in Buckinghamshire is now the subject of a major exhibition at Sir John Soane's Museum. Built between 1704 and 1714, its then-fashionable design (attributed to John Keene, master mason) was inspired by the original Buckingham House. After a severe fire in 1820, the Main House was redesigned for its owner, the Marquess of Buckingham, by Sir John Soane. The two flanking Pavilions overlooking the Forecourt meanwhile remained unaltered. But by the mid-twentieth century, the whole group had been neglected and become semi-ruinous. The Estate was subdivided for disposal; and there seemed to be no prospects for the House, now threatened by exposure, dry-rot and the likelihood of demolition.