Belmont is a neo-classical 18th century mansion set in delightful grounds. The estate was created and the first house built in 1769.
In 1780 the property was sold to John Montresor, an officer in the Royal Engineers. He enlarged the estate and commissioned Samuel Wyatt to build the present house.
However, Montresor did not enjoy his property for long for in 1799 he was wrongly accused of embezzling army funds. He was imprisoned and Belmont was confiscated. Soon after Montresor died in prison but in 1822 his sons proved his innocence and were given compensation from the government.
The Belmont estate was auctioned in 1801 and acquired by General George Harris, later the 1st Lord Harris. The General served in the East India Company and defeated Tipoo Sahib, the ruler of Mysore, in 1799.
When Tipoo was killed, and his city of Seringapatam taken, General Harris received an eighth of the prize money from the capture. This amounted to £150,000 and with this sum the General purchased Belmont and set himself up as a landed gentleman.
The 1st Lord died in 1829 and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Lords all held high office in parts of the British Empire.
The 5th Lord not only took part in military and public service but was also a great collector of clocks. His fine collection is one of the highlights of Belmont.
In addition, the 5th Lord also set up a charitable trust to preserve the house, park and collections. His son, the 6th Lord, still lives on the estate and farms much of the land.
The handsome house remains virtually as it was designed by Samuel Wyatt.
The compact main block has show fronts to the north, east and south. Although the house is constructed of red brick the show fronts are faced with stone-coloured mathematical tiles which give the effect of high-quality brickwork.
The entrance front to the south has three bays with an Ionic colonnade. This is flanked to the left by the large Orangery. The east front is longer with big bow windows at each end topped by low saucer domes.
The entrance to the house is through the Orangery which was used as a summer living room. The doors at the end lead into Entrance Hall and from here there is a vista through the Staircase Hall along the length of the main block.
The Entrance Hall has mementos of the Harris family's imperial service and long case clocks, the first of the 5th Lord's superb collection. The Drawing Room is light with curved ends and decorated in neo-classical style. Returning through the Entrance Hall the visitor reaches the Staircase Hall, one of the finest examples to be produced by the Wyatt family.
This reaches to the height of the building and is decorated in splendid neo-classical plasterwork. There are more long case clocks and souvenirs from India and China at the foot of the stairs.
The Dining Room occupies the middle of the east front and was decorated and furnished in the early 19th century. The Indian carpet is one of several made in 1890s for the 4th Lord, while Governor of Bombay. At the far end of the room is a group portrait of the 1st Lord and his family by Arthur William Devis.
Returning through the Staircase Hall the visitor passes down the corridor, lined with Georgian and Regency furniture, to the Library. This is at the far end of the east front and like the Drawing Room has curved end walls. Here, Samuel Wyatt's decoration is as he left it. The walnut bookcases have grisaille paintings above to simulate sculpture and there is Indian as well as Georgian furniture.
The tour returns along the corridor and then climbs the main staircase which is hung with 19th century family portraits, many in uniform. More Regency furniture is to be found in the Blue Bedroom, the Blue Dressing Room and the South Bedroom. The nursery displays baby clothes and toys.
The Clock Museum has been converted out of the final two bedrooms. A large selection the 5th Lord's collection is displayed here concentrating on British and French pieces from the 17th to the 19th centuries. This is considered to be one of the finest private collections in the world.
The beautiful park surrounding Belmont was laid out in the 1790s when the house was built.
There are old and dignified trees, a pinetum and a yew walk. Garden follies include a shell grotto. The walled garden has good flower borders and a pool.
2008: House: Last weekend Mar-last weekend Sept Sat-Sun and Bank Holidays, Tours: 14:00-17:00 last entry 16:00. Gardens: Daily 10:00-18:00 ( or dusk if earlier )
Tel: 01795 890 202 Belmont Website
