Introduction
Lodge Farm lies at the centre of a historic landscape, which was once part of the Royal Forest of Alveston. The deer park remained until at least 1496. The house itself may include the 'stand' or tower from which spectators could watch the chase.
Evidence on the ground and on the map suggests that the park was bounded to the north by Shellards Lane, to the east by the lane from Earthcott Green to Itchington, to the south by the B4427 and to the west by the curving footpath which runs from Old St. Helen's Church via the Loans to the junction of Shellard's Lane and Dodsmoor Lane.
A short stretch of the western boundary was illustrated in J. Kip's engraving 'Alveston the Seat of Edward Hill Esq.', published in Sir Robert Atkyns' 'The Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire'. Atkyns wrote (p.111) 'This manor was in the crown in the reign of King Henry the Third, who reserved his park in Alveston, when the forest of Kingswood was disforested.'
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Owners
South Gloucestershire Council
Thornbury One Stop Shop, Castle Street, Thornbury, BS35 1HF
- History
Period
Medieval (1066 to 1540)
- Features & Designations
Features
- Farmhouse (featured building)
- Description: Lodge Farm is heavily cement rendered, ivy covered and has relatively recently been fitted with modern glazing, so it is not easy to guess at its date from the outside. The northern end of the house however is square and rises to a considerable height above the rest of the roofline. As such it is very likely to be part or the whole of the ancient deer-park 'stand'.
- Park Pale
- Description: The demarkation of the park pale may be traced through mapping evidence.
- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Agriculture And Subsistence
Principal Building
Agriculture And Subsistence
Period
Medieval (1066 to 1540)
Survival
Part: standing remains
Hectares
32
Open to the public
Yes
Electoral Ward
Alveston
- References
References
- Atkyns, R and others {The Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire} (London: W. Bowyer for Robert Gosling, 1712) 111 The Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire
- Knapp, J {The Journal of a Naturalist} (London: John Murray, 1829) The Journal of a Naturalist
- Moore, John S {The Mediaeval Forest of Kingswood} (Avon Past, 1982) 7-11 The Mediaeval Forest of Kingswood
- Leland, J {The Itinerary of John Leland the Antiquary} (Oxford: Printed at the Theater, 1710-12) The Itinerary of John Leland the Antiquary
Contributors
Sir George White Bt., F.S.A.