File:Upton House and Gardens (27356960345).jpg

A late May Bank Holiday Monday visit to the National Trust property of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upton_House,_Warwickshire" rel="noreferrer nofollow">Upton House</a> and Gardens in Warwickshire.

It is close to Banbury (in Oxfordshire).

The closest villages are Ratley and Upton.

In 2016 the house has been set up like it might have been in the 1940s when it was used as a bank.

Part of Banking for Victory! A Country House at War.

The House is Grade II* listed.

<a href="http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-306243-upton-house-ratley-and-upton-warwickshir#.V0yPIL7wBYU" rel="noreferrer nofollow">Upton House, Ratley and Upton</a>

   RATLEY AND UPTON UPTON
   SP34NE
   3/132 Upton House
   07/01/52

   GV II*

   Country house. 1695. Built for Sir Rushout Cullen, Bt. Possibly designed by one
   of the Smiths of Warwick. Possibly altered c.1710. Alterations or additions 1735
   for William Bumstead. C19 additions. Remodelled 1927-1929 by Percy Morley Horder
   for the 2nd Viscount Bearsted. Ironstone ashlar; doorcase, attic storey and most
   of parapet of grey limestone; stone slate hipped roofs; stone ridge stacks with
   square shafts, string courses and cornices. Double depth plan. Largely
   symmetrical. 2 storeys, basement and attic; 16-window range. Entrance front of
   4:1:2:3:2:1:3 bays. Renewed sashes throughout have thick glazing bars, 18-pane
   on ground floor, 15-pane on first floor, most in bolection moulded architraves
   with keystones. One-bay ranges have 24 and 20-pane sashes. Leaded 2-light roof
   dormers with moulded cornices. Centre and 2-bay ranges have moulded plinth, sill
   courses stepped up between windows, moulded string course, and cornice. Recessed
   centre has full-width steps. Central entrance, probably of 1735, has moulded
   architrave with large keystone, Tuscan half-columns and dosserets with
   triglyphs, and pediment. Fielded 4-panelled door, with panel above. Early C18
   attic storey and broken segmental pediment has moulded round arched window with
   large keystone breaking into pediment. Shaped sunk panels to left and right.
   Projecting 2-bay ranges, have rusticated alternating quoins. 2-light mullioned
   basement windows. Reused lead rainwater heads and pipes dated 1735 have initials
   and coat of arms of William Bumstead. Central segmental pedimented roof dormers.
   One-bay ranges, largely of 1927-29, have central roof dormers. Cornices and
   parapets with balustrading above each bay. 4-bay range to left has stone lintels
   with keystones to all openings. Subsidiary entrance in third bay has second
   lintel and moulded 6-panelled door. 4-bay and 3-bay ranges have unpainted
   moulded wood eaves cornice and roof dormers. Attached outbuildings to left
   include one storey and attic kitchen wing and coach house with gable clock and
   octagonal lantern. Basement picture gallery attached on right. Garden front of
   1:2:9:2:1 bays. Mostly 18-pane sashes with 15-pane on first floor. Basement has
   2-light mullioned windows with hood moulds. Recessed centre has tall narrow
   central entrance of 1695. Grey limestone moulded architrave, panelled pilaster
   strips, entablature and segmental pediment. Splayed steps with wrought iron
   balustrades of c.1695. Projecting 2-bay wings have rusticated alternating
   quoins. Wide one-bay ranges have broad canted bays with 24- and 20-pane sashes.
   Lower part C19, raised and remodelled 1927-29. Basements have segmental arched
   windows with keystones. First floor has small flanking windows. Unpainted
   moulded wood eaves cornice and roof dormers throughout. Lead rainwater heads
   dated 1695 have initials of Sir Rushout Cullen. Interior remodelled. Entrance
   hall has open well staircase of reused twisted balusters with leaf bulbs. Early
   C18 stone chimney piece has overmantel with panel, volutes and open pediment.
   Dining Room has early C18 marble chimney piece with bulging Ionic pilasters. C16
   moulded 4-centred arched doorway in basement.
   (Upton House, Warwickshire, Architectural Review, Vol. LXIX, April 1931,
   pp.125-131; Buildings of England: Warwickshire, p.439; G. Jackson-Stops, Upton
   House, Warwickshire; (The National Trust); Country Life, Vol. XVI, 10th
   September 1904; Vol. XLVI, 5th and 12th September 1936).

   Listing NGR: SP3697045693

This text is a legacy record and has not been updated since the building was originally listed. Details of the building may have changed in the intervening time. You should not rely on this listing as an accurate description of the building.

Source: English Heritage