Cobham Hall, Kent. The North Pleasure Grounds. Survey Report
Author(s): Paul Pattison, Louise Barker, Moraig Brown
In February and March 2004, English Heritage undertook an archaeological investigation and analytical field survey of the North Pleasure Grounds at Cobham Hall in Kent. Whilst as an entity the North Pleasure Grounds dates from the 1790s onwards, the area it occupies has high potential for the survival of buried features relating to the earlier periods. Of particular significance is the proximity of the Romano-British structures found on the west slope of Windmill Hill in the late 1950s, the redundant field boundaries in the surrounding parkland landscape and the site of the Tudor and Stuart walled garden. Before Humphry Repton, the area formed part of the working landscape of the Park. A hunting pack of dogs was accommodated in kennels within an enclosure near Brewers Ponds, while the ponds were a source of fish, and of ice in the winter. The spring that fed the ponds was harnessed for the Hall water supply from the late 17th century and perhaps even from the 16th. The survival of features associated with the water supply is both rare and remarkable, although the origin of the conduit earthworks remains enigmatic. Windmill Hill itself always had topographical significance within the Park. The summit appears to have been partially levelled and there is evidence that the slopes were quarried for sand and gravel for use in building on the estate, certainly in the 18th century. Finally, the top of the hill may once have supported a post-mill for the estate. Today, the surviving framework of the Pleasure Grounds belongs to Repton; its shape, the main paths and the Pump House are of the period but most of the planting has gone. (This was report 15/2005 in a previous series).
- Report Number:
- 77/2005
- Series:
- Other
- Pages:
- 46
