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Woodcote Manor Park (also known as Woodcote Manor)

Introduction

Woodcote Manor, of medieval origins, lies in a small late-18th-century landscape park. The walled garden, dating back possibly to the 17th-century, is still planted as in the 19th century. In 1911 Sir Reginald Blomfield made changes to the park and garden to give them more structure. Interesting listed buildings include the 17th-century coach house and barn and gardener's cottage by Blomfield.

There are many points of interest in the estate. There is the survival of the 18th-century parkland with its trees where it is still possible to make out the course of the old drive. The woodland copse remains and is particularly colourful in the spring, with daffodils and bluebells. The kitchen garden is little changed from its layout and plantings from the late 19th century. It is a good example of a kitchen garden of that time.

The collection of ancillary buildings is of interest too. Both coach house and barn in the yard are listed buildings and the stables, though not so old, occupy the site of the original stable block. The gardener's cottage, designed by Blomfield is close by and is also listed. Blomfield's other designs for the park and garden remain, defining the garden areas around the house in a more formal way.

History

The origins of the manor of Woodcote lie in the reign of Richard I in the late 12th-century. The oldest surviving parts date back to the 17th century. These consist of the manor house, the walled garden, the coach house and a barn. Around these buildings lay a small park, wooded behind the house and open to the west in front. The drive to the house wound through the park along an avenue of sweet chestnuts.

The park was enclosed in the late 18th-century. New developments followed. A new stable block was built, a ha-ha separated the lawn from the park, and two stew ponds were created just beyond the ha-ha. Little changed in the 19th century, but in 1911 Sir Reginald Blomfield made new designs for house and garden. By diverting the carriage drive to a new entrance he created more space for lawns. To these he added a pergola and gazebo. He introduced brick walls and topiary which gave the house a more formal setting.

Period

  • 18th Century (1701 to 1800)
  • Late 18th Century (1767 to 1800)
Features & Designations

Designations

  • Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

  • The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building

  • Reference: Woodcote Manor
  • Grade: II*

Features

  • Kitchen Garden
  • Description: The kitchen garden is little changed from its layout and plantings from the late-19th century. It is a good example of a kitchen garden of that time.
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  • Lawn
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  • Gazebo
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  • Stable Block
  • Description: The stables, though not so old, occupy the site of the original stable block (late-18th-century).
  • Topiary
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  • Garden Wall
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  • Ha-ha
  • Description: A ha-ha separated the lawn from the park.
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  • Manor House (featured building)
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  • Pergola
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  • Pond
  • Description: Two stew ponds were created just beyond the ha-ha.
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  • Garden Building
  • Description: The gardener?s cottage, designed by Blomfield is close by and is also listed.
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  • Building
  • Description: The 17th-century coach house.
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Key Information

Type

Park

Purpose

Ornamental

Principal Building

Domestic / Residential

Period

18th Century (1701 to 1800)

Survival

Extant

Hectares

41.25

Open to the public

Yes

Civil Parish

Bramdean and

References

Contributors

  • Hampshire Gardens Trust

  • Leila Beale