Reasons for Designation
As a class of monument, gardens are unusual in that, during their
period of use, they are frequently redesigned as fashions and tastes
change. Relict gardens are, therefore, particularly rare because they
retain their original design or the design of a particular period. The
gardens of Campden House represent an exceptional survival of a high
quality Rennaissance formal garden. Normally gardens of this period are
known only from documentary and art historical sources. The gardens
are particularly interesting because of their short lifespan, from 1609
to 1645, when Campden House was destroyed in the Civil War. As such the
gardens have suffered few alterations from their original layout.
Details
The monument includes the standing and below-ground remains of the
early 17th century Campden House, the related garden earthworks, canals
and ornamental features and an area of earlier associated cultivation
earthworks. Campden House was destroyed during the Civil War, only a
fragment of the south facade survives above ground. The gardens
include; entrance courts north of the house, currently overlain by
orchard ridges; an upper terraced walk; a large square inner garden
with raised terraces on two sides, the paths visible below orchard
planting; the lower garden features paired terraces, alternately broad
and narrow; and to the east a Water Parterre, a small water garden. The
garden is defined by an angled canal with returns at the east and west
end and bounded by the Cam to the south and south east. The bed of the
River Cam is included here as it is considered that in this stretch it
has been canalised. The water running through it is excluded.
To the east is a straight canal fed by a stone faced spring with a mount
at its south end. An earthen causeway crosses the valley to Lady Juliana's
Gateway and spans the Scuttlebrook which fed a water feature. Over a
flat meadow a circular feature is considered to be the remains of a
viewing platform. Further east is a fine example of Medieval ridge and
furrow, predating and possibly underlying the formal gardens.
The East and West Banqueting houses (both Listed Grade II*) and the
Almonry are excluded from the schedule, although the land beneath them
is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
11504
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
