Introduction
Features of Orton Longueville Hall included a conifer collection, a conservatory, rockbound dells and a walled fruit and vegetable garden.
Charles (10th Marquess) and his wife Maria were keen horticulturalists. Maria compiled an Herbarium of local wild plants. They both were responsible for the introduction of rare trees to the estate, including the dramatic 700 yard long avenue of Wellingtonias along the south boundary, which were planted as seedlings in 1861. Mr Harding, the head gardener showed many visitors the fine collection of conifers and was known for his patent method of measuring the height of the trees with his six foot staff.
A gigantic conservatory attached to the hall still remains. An article in ‘Cottage Gardener', July 1888 stated ‘The grounds are never more beautiful than when the numerous conifers are wreathed in fleecy snow, or resemble fountains and cones of silver by the hoar frost glistening on every spray and leaf'.
The grounds included rockbound dells and a wilderness full of ferns. There was a large rockery for alpines, a small Italian garden with a 1.6 hectare walled vegetable and fruit garden with a central canal. In 1954 the hall and park were sold to Cambridgeshire Education Authority and a school building was built in the walled vegetable garden. The park is now a school surrounded by playing fields.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
- History
The Hall, now a hotel, was set in 8.8 hectares of parkland to the south-west of the city of Peterborough which expanded under the New Towns Act, engulfing the picturesque village or Orton Longueville. Originally the seat of the Marquess and Marchioness of Huntly, the Hall was built in 1835 to the designs of H. Smith of London.
- Features & Designations
Features
- Garden Wall
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Conservatory
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Hotel (featured building)
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Domestic / Residential
Survival
Extant
Open to the public
Yes
Civil Parish
Orton Longueville
- References
Contributors
Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust