Saltram House
Saltram House is a grade I listed George II era house in Plympton, Devon, England. It was deemed by the architectural critic Pevsner to be "the most impressive country house in Devon". The house was designed by the architect Robert Adam, who altered and greatly expanded the original Tudor house on two occasions. The Saloon is considered one of Adam's finest interiors. Saltram is one of Britain's best preserved examples of an early Georgian house and retains much of its original decor, plasterwork and furnishings. It contains the Parker family's large collection of paintings, including several by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), born and educated at Plympton and a friend of the Parker family.
| Saltram House | |
|---|---|
Saltram House, east front; The central block with Venetian window contains the Saloon. | |
Saltram House Location within Plymouth | |
| Etymology | Salt was harvested on the nearby estuary and the fact that a "ham", or homestead, was on the site before the Tudor period |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Town or city | Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 50°22′54″N 4°04′57″W |
| Owner | National Trust |
| Designations | |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
| Official name | Saltram House |
| Designated | 23 April 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1386230 |
| Website | |
| www | |
The present building was commenced by John Parker (1703–1768) of nearby Boringdon Hall, Plympton, and of Court House, North Molton, both in Devon, together with his wife Catherine Poulett (1706-1758), a daughter of John Poulett, 1st Earl Poulett. It was completed by his son John Parker, 1st Baron Boringdon (1735-1788), whose son was John Parker, 1st Earl of Morley (1772-1840). The Parker family had risen to prominence in the mid-16th century as the bailiff of the manor of North Molton, Devon, under Baron Zouche of Haryngworth.
The Saltram Estate was transferred to the National Trust in lieu of death duties in 1957, and is open to the public.
Saltram House was used as one of several local settings for the 1995 film Sense and Sensibility.