Looking at Buildings

, printed from the Looking at Buildings website on Tuesday 19th March 2024

Red Lodge

ElizabethanGlossary Term [1] lodge, c.1577-85, with exceptional interiors. The site belonged to a 13th century Carmelite foundation. In 1568 Sir John Young acquired it, and quickly built a mansion, (demolished for Colston Hall, 1863). There he entertained Queen Elizabeth in 1574, and was knighted during her stay. Red Lodge was Young's garden lodge, of Brandon Hill sandstone originally rendered and painted deep red, with an open arched loggiaGlossary Term [2] to the garden - an Italian RenaissanceGlossary Term [3] idea. It became an independent dwelling by 1595. In the 17th century rooms were added around the stair turret, all altered again in an extensive updating c.1720-30. Gables were replaced by hipped roofs with eavesGlossary Term [4] corniceGlossary Term [5], long sash windows installed and the north side remodelled around a new staircase. The loggiaGlossary Term [6] was glazed in to extend the ground floor. In the Reception Room is a 18th century bolection moulded chimneypiece. The parlourGlossary Term [7] has a 16th century ribbed and moulded ceiling and chimneypiece with cambered opening and scroll patterned friezeGlossary Term [8]. The New Oak Room contains a fireplace from Ashley Manor and panellingGlossary Term [9] from St. Michael's rectory (q.v.) nearby. By chance the corniceGlossary Term [10] is virtually identical to that in the Great Oak Room, presumably by the same maker. The nobly proportioned oak staircase has three twisted balusters per treadGlossary Term [11] and IonicGlossary Term [12] columnGlossary Term [13] newels.

ShellGlossary Term [14] headed doors are framed by paired CompositeGlossary Term [15] columns. The entablatureGlossary Term [16] has a friezeGlossary Term [17] of winged beasts and foliage. Above is a second tier, even richer, with paired terms instead of columns. Its corniceGlossary Term [18] does not match the rest of the room. On this tier are the arms of Young and his wife, projecting so far they seem to float over the structure. Not an inch escapes embellishment. The room is fully panelled, with an arcaded dadoGlossary Term [19] below smaller arch-headedGlossary Term [20] panels and an enriched modillion corniceGlossary Term [21]. Another geometricGlossary Term [22] ribbed ceiling, with five pendants, vase and foliage motifs, winged cherubs, pomegranates etc., and dim GothicGlossary Term [23] remembrances in ogeeGlossary Term [24] trefoils. Dominating all is the only major Bristol school chimneypiece still in situGlossary Term [25]. It is very big and high, of richly carved limestone, with alabaster panels depicting Young's arms and panels of Hope, Faith, Justice and Prudence. The strapworkGlossary Term [26] cartoucheGlossary Term [27] in the overmantelGlossary Term [28] and the paired terms are copied from mid 16th century prints by Jan Vredeman de Vries.

In Red Lodge gardens is the barn-like WIGWAM, by C.F.W. Dening c.1920. Home of the Savages art society. Fittings include two chimneypieces, one of 1682 from the Goat in Armour Inn, with open segmental pedimentGlossary Term [29] and seated figures, but still a cambered fire-opening. The other, marked 16 RMS 74, came from the house of Richard Stubbs, a wine merchant of St. Michael's. The overmantelGlossary Term [30] has arabesques, vine trails and tapering Jacobean [31] pilasters, very archaic for that date.

Last updated: Monday, 26th January 2009