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This great London town house ( demolished circa 1683 ) has been one of the most admired buildings of its era due to " its elegant symmetry and confident and common-sensical design ".

Sir John Summerson described Clarendon House as " the most influential house of its time among those who aimed at the grand manner " and Belton as " much the finest surviving example of its class ".

John and Alice Brownlow assembled one of the finest teams of craftsmen available at the time to work on the project.

This dream team was headed by the master mason William Stanton who oversaw the project.

His second in command, John Thompson, had worked with Sir Christopher Wren on several of the latter's London churches, while the chief joiner John Sturges had worked at Chatsworth under William Talman.

The wrought-ironworker John Warren worked under Stanton at Denham Place, Buckinghamshire, and the fine wrought iron gates and overthrow at Belton may be his.

Thus so competent were the builders of Belton that Winde may have done little more than provide the original plans and drawings, leaving the interpretation to the on-site craftsmen.

This theory is further demonstrated by the external appearance of the adjoining stable block.

More provincial, and less masterful in proportion, it is known to have been entirely the work of Stanton.