Myles Place Explained

Myles Place
Type:House
Coordinates:51.0639°N -1.7999°W
Location:Salisbury, Wiltshire, England
Designation1:Grade I
Designation1 Offname:Myles Place, 68 The Close
Designation1 Date:28 February 1952
Designation1 Number:1261304
Designation2:Grade I
Designation2 Offname:Retaining wall, screen railings, piers and gates to front garden of Myles Place, 68, The Close
Designation2 Date:12 October 1972
Designation2 Number:1023629
Designation3:Grade II
Designation3 Offname:Two urns in front garden of Myles Place, 68, The Close
Designation3 Date:12 October 1972
Designation3 Number:1355815

Myles Place, No. 68 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England is a former canonry, now a private home in the close of Salisbury Cathedral. The earliest known building on the site was a medieval residence for members of the cathedral clergy. The house was rebuilt in 1720. Considered the "stateliest house in the close", it is a Grade I listed building.

History

The earliest known building on the site was a medieval residence for members of the cathedral clergy. The house was rebuilt between 1718 and 1720, either for William Swanton, the town clerk of Salisbury, or for his brother Francis, who served as the city's member of parliament.[1] The Swantons were long established in the area as lawyers, landowners and local worthies, an earlier William Swanton having served as M.P. in the 1670s.[2]

In the 20th century, the house was home to Sir Arthur Bryant, the historian, who lived there from the end of the Second World War until his death in 1985. It was then bought by Sir Philip Shelbourne, a lawyer and financier.

Architecture and description

Myles Place is of four storeys and seven bays, and faced with ashlar. Pevsner describes it as "the grandest 18th century house in the close", suggesting that its ostentation is almost excessive in relation to its country location. It is a Grade I listed building. Its entrance screen has a separate Grade I listing.

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Swanton, Francis (1666-1721), of Salisbury, Wilts.. History of Parliament. 24 July 2024.
  2. Web site: Swanton, William (c.1630-81), of Salisbury, Wilts.. History of Parliament. 24 July 2024.