Easton Neston

Easton Neston stands in the rolling countryside of Northamptonshire as a grand country house built in the early 18th century. Its architect was Nicholas Hawksmoor, who worked alone here before later joining forces with Sir John Vanbrugh on larger projects. The house replaced an older manor for Sir William Fermor, whose father had acquired the estate in the 17th century. Hawksmoor’s design was influenced by engravings of French and Italian palaces, though the exterior remains restrained. The cream Helmdon stone gives the carvings a sharpness that has lasted over three centuries. The house is worth visiting for its architectural importance and the stories it tells. Hawksmoor’s work here predates his famous collaborations, making it a rare example of his solo vision. The building also reveals how servants’ lives shaped grand houses, with hidden mezzanine floors for staff. A BBC programme explored whether Hawksmoor or Sir Christopher Wren designed it, using roof timber dating to 1700–1701 as evidence. The house’s later history includes changes by the 1st Earl of Pomfret, who added plasterwork by Artari in the 18th century. Inside, the principal rooms are tall and airy, avoiding the heavy grandeur of later work. The main staircase features wrought ironwork by Jean Tijou, and the gallery above is painted in grisailles by Sir James Thornhill. The great hall, once two storeys high, was split into bedrooms in the 19th century. Outside, the surviving wings and entrance piers hint at Hawksmoor’s grander, unbuilt plans. The parkland around the house adds to the sense of a carefully designed estate.