Modification completed - The existing Georgian house was reduced in height and modified into stables. A new mansion of opulent Turkish design, which his wife described as something from the Arabian Nights entertainments, was built to a design and with a garden by John Claudius LOUDON. It was built in the "Moorish style", with minarets. The interior's brass balustrades, mahogany doors inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and finely carved fireplaces were eventually complemented by lavish landscaping: ponds, grottos, kiosks, an ice house, a hothouse, and a subterranean passage from house to gardens.

Herefordshire Mansion Destroyed by Fire -
Hope End Mansion, Ledbury, Herefordshire, which was built in 1872, was destroyed by fire on Saturday, damage estimated at about £40,000 being done. Many valuables were removed into safety, but the family jewels were destroyed, as were some beautiful doors inlaid with mother of pearl. Mr HEWITT, the owner, is a prominent Conservative, a member of Herefordshire County Council, and a well-known philanthropist. Picture 1 A fire engine drawing water from a lake below the mansion. Picture 2 Fighting the flames.

ENGLISH MANSION BURNED
Hope End Mansion, Ledbury, was gutted by fire on Friday night. The damage amounts to nearly £50,000. the fire at the mansion which is owned by Mr Charles Archibald HEWITT, broke out in the top of the building during the night, and was first discovered by a lady's maid. Assisted by the pitch pine ceilings and doors, the flames rapidly spread, and the occupants had to escape partly dressed. There was a large number of willing helpers, and the fire brigade was quickly upon the scene, but great damage was done, the family jewels being destroyed, as also were some valuable doors, inlaid with mother-of-pearl, which had been removed from the old house once occupied by Elizabeth Barrett BROWNING, when it was pulled down. In the midst of the conflagration two tanks, each containing sixteen hundred gallons of water, fell from the top of the building through the burning mass. The damage is party covered by Insurance.