Queen Anne House Fortuneswell Portland Dorset

Queen Anne House is an 18th-century detached house located within the village of

Fortuneswell Fortuneswell is a village in Underhill, Dorset, Underhill on the Isle of Portland, in Dorset, England. It lies on steeply sloping land on the northern edge of the island, known as Underhill, where Chesil Beach connects the island to the mainland. ...

, on the

Isle of Portland An isle is an island, land surrounded by water. The term is very common in British English. However, there is no clear agreement on what makes an island an isle or its difference, so they are considered synonyms. Isle may refer to: Geography * Is ...

, Dorset, England. The house, together with its boundary wall and gate piers, has been a Grade II*

listed building In the United Kingdom, a listed building or listed structure is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, in Wales, and the Northern Irel ...

since May 1993.

History

The house, dating back to the 18th-century, is an example of English domestic architecture. It is believed to have been built by architect and quarry merchant Thomas Gilbert. Some unverified sources suggest a circa 1720 construction date, more likely is a post 1728 date due to the use of a Gibbs pattern door surround. Having been constructed for Gilbert to use as his own residence, the house quickly became noted for being the finest and most complete house of its period on the island. Gilbert himself was the architect of a number of houses in the Portland area, but most notably for St George's Church, which was built between 1754 and 1766, within the hamlet of Reforne. The church has since been regarded as one of the most impressive 18th-century churches in Dorset, and remains a Grade I listed building. Today the house has been renovated and opened as a luxury bed and breakfast, awarded 4 Stars by AA.

References

{{Isle of Portland Isle of Portland Grade II* listed buildings in Dorset Houses in Dorset Grade II* listed houses