Exterior and interior photos of Ingestre Pavilion

Ingestre Pavilion

Tixall, Staffordshire

The approach to this building is now from the side along a forest ride, but the long vista from it, between plantations to the Trent, is as it was when 'Capability' Brown drew up a scheme for 'an Intended Lawn' at Ingestre for the 2nd Viscount Chetwynd in 1756. The Pavilion was already there by then, added in about 1752 to an earlier, more formal layout.

The façade is a powerful and distinguished one. Curiously, for nearly two centuries it has been little more than that: by 1802 the building behind it, which the foundations show to have been surprisingly large and grand, had been demolished. In its place there are now new rooms designed by Philip Jebb, including a central octagonal saloon.

A local mason-architect named Charles Trubshaw (who trained as a sculptor under Scheemakers) worked at Ingestre around 1750. He probably put up the Pavilion, although it is unlikely that he was also its designer, able though he was. The Chetwynds, and after them the Talbots, were enlightened patrons of architecture - the parish church is by Wren - and undoubtedly this is the work of one of the best architects available.

• For up to 6 people
• Open fire
• Garden
• Adjacent parking
• Dogs allowed