Category talk:Former country houses in the United Kingdom

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It is intended that eventually this will be a parent category, with seperate categories for England, Scotland, Wales and Nothern Ireland, but at present with so few houses it does not seem worth while having seperate. Giano (talk) 13:44, 10 July 2008 (UTC)


 * Good idea to start this category Giano, but I wonder why only 20th century demolitions count? OK, so there were far more in the 20th century than before, but some did come down in the 19th century, and even before. Fonthill Abbey for example. And what about the 21st century? If it is limited to 20th century demolitions, I think it should have a more precise title, like Houses in Britain demolished in the 20th century. Although that sounds horrible - but something like that. Regards, Jonathan Oldenbuck (talk) 12:13, 11 July 2008 (UTC)
 * The term "lost houses" usually refers in Britain to those demolished in the 2Oth century, before then they were generally replaced rather than lost (if you see the difference?) That's why I have not added Eaton Hall to the category. The last country house to be wantonly demolished was in 1972, and it is now legally impossible to demolish a historic property, so the 21st century won't come into this. The only real risk to them now is crime or accidental fire. Interestingly, Giles Worsely in book "England's lost houses" concludes not with Fonthill Abbey (which does not qualify for the book) but "Little Ridge," also known as Fonthill House, the country house demolished in 1972, which replaced it. I suppose though this term will keep being challenged, so if you can think of a better name change it by all means, although I am intending the category to be lead by a page I am currently finishing which will be called Britain's lost houses. In fact, the 5 pages in the category I created yesterday, are all surplus writing from that page. Giano (talk) 12:41, 11 July 2008 (UTC)


 * Fair enough, I'm just concerned that the title is a little woolly and liable to be challenged (rather like the much less ambiguous "historic buildings"). Houses which have burned down are equally "lost", for instance. Anyway, I don't have any desire to move it myself, but we'll see what happens. Reminds me, I must finish the article on Panmure House which has been on my sandbox for ages... Regards, Jonathan Oldenbuck (talk) 13:26, 11 July 2008 (UTC)


 * The book you referenced, Giles Worsley's "England's lost houses", is limited to the photographic archive of Country Life magazine, which began around the turn of the century. CircleOfWillis (talk) 10:06, 30 December 2011 (UTC)

As well as a name change to 'Lost country houses', I feel the category should be expanded to include all lost country houses in the UK, not just those destroyed in the 20th century. Fonthill Abbey is one of the best-known of the lost country houses, and it should be able to be included in this category. CircleOfWillis (talk) 12:36, 21 December 2011 (UTC)