Introduction
A series of linked walled gardens surround the house. The first house and garden on this site were designed by Oliver Hill and built c. 1925.. The house burnt down in 1943, leaving a few remnants around a tall stone chimney and a separate thatched pump house.
Entrances and Approaches
The drive is lined with shrubs and runs beside the eastern boundary, but with a small walled ‘stock' garden in the south-east corner of the site. The house is now a holiday home but still owned by keen gardeners. The new owners have added a new Courtyard garden adjacent to glass doors on the sheltered south side of house, by the new kitchen. The essential character of the garden has been retained.
Gardens and Pleasure Grounds
A series of linked walled gardens surround the house. Each has a distinct design and function, and appear to be largely unchanged. There is the Pergola Garden between the first and second house sites. The sunken Wind's Garden (south) and Secret Garden with thatched summer-house (north) lie between the new house and Gardener's Cottage and separated by the Glass Walk. There is also the Orchard and hedged Vegetable garden. The ‘Rose garden' is behind the zigzag wall on the south edge of the parking area.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Other Websites
- History
20th Century
A first house and garden on this site were designed by Oliver Hill and built around 1925. The house burnt down in 1943, leaving a few remnants around a tall stone chimney and a separate thatched pump house. These still stand between the parking area and the sand dunes, where a 'Sun Bathing Garden' is buried.
In 1953 a new house was built, also designed by Oliver Hill and slightly south-west of the first one. Pevsner wrote: ‘Intended to be in the spirit of a Devon farmhouse, hence the thatched roofs and prominent stone chimneys.... The effect is more of a cottage orne.... Low mullioned windows in the Voysey tradition.'
Period
- 20th Century (1901 to 2000)
- Early 20th Century (1901 to 1932)
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Plant Environment
- Environment
- Walled Garden
- Key Information
Type
Garden
Purpose
Ornamental
Plant Environment
Environment
Principal Building
Domestic / Residential
Period
20th Century (1901 to 2000)
Survival
Extant
Civil Parish
Pilton West
- References
References
- Pevsner, N {The Buildings of England: Devon} (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1952) The Buildings of England: Devon