A stunning 300-year-old country manor house has been destroyed in a huge blaze – despite firefighters battling through the night to save it.
Nonsuch House, a 10-bedroom 18th Century house in Westbrook, Wilts., went up in flames shortly before 7pm last night.
The £4million manor, which was given Grade II listed status in 1962, was engulfed in the fire for several hours before it was brought under control.
The picturesque property, built in the William and Mary style, was destroyed in the blaze despite the efforts of more than 75 firefighters.
Fire crews from across Wiltshire, Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset were tasked with fighting the fire – most remaining on scene overnight.
In a statement released shortly after the incident began, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘At 6.59pm this evening our Service Control Centre received the first of multiple 999 calls to report a property fire in Westbrook near Bromham.
A stunning 300-year-old country manor house has been destroyed in a huge blaze – despite firefighters battling through the night to save it
Nonsuch House, a 10-bedroom 18th Century house in Westbrook, Wilts., went up in flames shortly before 7pm last night
The £4million manor, which was given Grade II listed status in 1962, was engulfed in the fire for several hours before it was brought under control
‘Initially crews were dispatched to the incident from Calne and Melksham.
‘Firefighters quickly requested support and we currently have 15 fire engines, three water carriers and an aerial ladder platform at this incident (approx. 75 firefighters).
‘Crews are dealing with a significant fire in a large property.
‘The A3102 has been closed and will remain closed overnight while we deal with this incident.
‘At this stage it is not known how the fire started. A full fire investigation will be undertaken once the incident is under control.’
In a later tweet, the fire service said: ‘We have reduced our attendance at this incident overnight.
‘There are approx 20 firefighters on scene and the A3102 remains closed while we deal with this incident. A fire investigation into the cause will begin as soon as it is safe to do so.’
According to Historic England, which keeps entries of listed properties, Nonsuch House was built in the early 18th Century.
The original house is said to have been built on the site in 1646 for the English diplomat Lord John Digby, supposedly as a hunting lodge.
The estate passed to William Norris (1656-1730), a diplomat who served as an ambassador to the sixth Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Norris rebuilt the house after 1705. It belonged to the Norris family until 1835, the Meredith-Brown family 1849-1920.
The alterations were carried out for the Bankier family, owners 1923-30. It is not clear who owns the property at the moment.
However the property was put on the market for £3.9million in October 2020 with the estate agent Carter Jonas.
In its listing, the estate agent wrote: ‘Nonsuch comprises a small rural estate centred around a beautiful William and Mary house, a property that was originally built as a hunting lodge, possibly as early as 1645.
The picturesque property, built in the William and Mary style, was destroyed in the blaze despite the efforts of more than 75 firefighters
Fire crews from across Wiltshire, Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset were tasked with fighting the fire – most remaining on scene overnight
‘Over the years, a number of buildings within the stable block have been converted, the house divided and adjoining properties retained.
‘Supporting the principal house are six further properties which provide rental income to the estate.
‘Nonsuch still enjoys the benefit of a private stable yard and Lot 1 extends in all to 59.54 acres, which is predominantly parkland with small areas of amenity woodland lying along the southern boundary.’
The house is near to the village of Bromham and in between the towns of Devizes, Melksham and Chippenham.
The area has a number of top schools including St Margaret’s and St Mary’s at Calne, Dauntseys and Marlborough College – which includes Kate Middleton and Jack Whitehall among its alumni.
