Style and Status

T Part of of the northern loggia, showing a flower emblem.      © English Heritage
 he location of the house and the room functions were chosen to make the most of the views of the gardens and hunting park – unusually, the best rooms faced north.

Although the North front was not the main entrance, it was designed to be the most visually striking. The open-sided gallery is called a loggia. The loggias on both the North and the West front at Houghton are thought to have been designed by Inigo Jones. They are important early examples of neo-classical architecture in England.

The loggias display friezes with decorative carvings. These symbols related to Mary Herbert Part of the western foyer with bear and staff symbol.      © English Heritage and her family, and include her coat of arms, flower emblems and the bear and staff, the emblem of the Dudleys, her mother’s family.

Italian classical design was becoming increasingly fashionable in high circles and was used to display wealth and good taste. The loggias provided sheltered access to the garden and the first floor balconies were used as dining chambers for light meals of spiced wine and delicacies.