“A neoclassical masterpiece in a rugged Yorkshire landscape” – a look at the history of Brodsworth Hall, with Dr Emma Wells

The phrase ‘preserved in aspic’ can rarely be applied to a grand Victorian pile but when it comes to Brodsworth Hall, there is little better way of describing it. ‘Conserved as found’ is the term bandied about to define the sprawling mansion. In reality, the impressive white ashlar limestone building located near Doncaster and set amongst 15 acres of expertly restored Victorian pleasure gardens, has been gently conserved to tell the history of over 120 years and the many generations that witnessed life and worked here.

Built in the 1860s in the Italianate style for the Thellusson family, it was in actuality the death of one member that was the hall’s success. When wealthy city banker Peter Thellusson perished in 1797, a lengthy legal battle ensued amongst his heirs. Charles Sabine Augustus Thellusson, Peter’s grandson, came up trumps when he inherited the estate in 1858 and began a lifelong endeavour to see the estate restored. He commenced the work by first demolishing the original Georgian house sited near to the church. Then, in 1861, work started on a new house and gardens in his own personal style. Quite contrasting to its Yorkshire surroundings, Thelluson chose Italian architect Chevalier Casentini for the designs, with the construction undertaken by Philip Wilkinson—and who together created a neoclassical masterpiece in a rugged Yorkshire landscape, as much witnessed in the built form as in the grounds.

Today, the very same paintings hang silently still, just as they did when Charles completed the house in 1870, while an entertaining crowd of flora and fauna stalk the grounds, with statue walks, a grotto and topiary that marshal along one side of the drive like wild soldiers. Only now it is the general public than can enjoy the fruits of these previous families, as the hall and its gardens were donated to English Heritage in March 1990 and remain in their guardianship.

Books by Dr Emma Wells