Description: Showing the reclining lions which appear to be copies of the lions sculpted by Canova at the Tomb of Pope Clement XIII (Chatsworth House also has copies of these). Clifton Hall is a Grade I listed building. The building which can be seen here is largely Georgian in character and supercedes a previous medieval home. Alterations and additions to the house were carried out over the years by John Thorpe, c1611, and by John Smythson (stables and lodges dated 1632), and most noteworthy, John Carr of York, who was responsible for transforming the Hall, during the years 1779-97, into a Georgian house. (Information partially extracted from Anne Bloomfield's 'Clifton Hall an introductory guide). The earliest complete element is the southern wing which contains many interiors of great importance, mostly panelled, a chimney piece probably designed by John Smythson and complete 17th century decorated interior - the Pages Room - with chequered black-and white marble floor and painted panelled walls with figures in 17th century military dress. In the centre between the north and south wings is the Octagon (a full height plastered early Rococo hall interior of the mid 18th century). To the north is a square block designed as servants and service accommodation by John Carr of York (1779). At the same time he added the Doric colonnade and re-fronted the south elevation in ashlar, with a large central bow front. It was home to The Clifton Family. The building was for many years during the 20th century a Grammar School. Most recently it was occupied by Nottingham Trent University and used for education training and offices. With the re-organisation of the University it became surplus to their requirements and closed in 2000. It was sold in 2001 to the Raven Group (housing developers) who have proposals to convert the Hall into flats and for the construction of a new extension to replace the canteen and ancillary buildings. The Hall has been vacant since 2000. (Extracted from the 'Nottingham City Council Online' web-site).