Information for record number MWA8503:
18th-19th century landscaped Alscot Park, Preston Lane, Alderminster

Summary Alscot Park is a mid 18th century rococo landscape attributed to Sanderson Miller, together with a mid 19th century formal terraced gardens designed by William Davidson.
What Is It?  
Type: Landscape Park, Formal Garden, Kitchen Garden, Drive, Dam, Balustrade, Garden Terrace, Balustrade
Period: Modern - Modern (1750 AD - 2050 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Alderminster
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 20 50
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Registered Park or Garden (Grade: II)
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

 
Source Number  

1 The Medieval Alscot Park was enlarged in the period 1742-47. In the early 18th century it was described in Atkyns Gloucestershire as delightful. In 1747 it was described as small but well-planted. As enlarged the Park covers 83 ha and is separated from the road on the NE and SE sides by a long wall. Part of it was under plough in 1964.
3
16 Alscot Park is a 100 heactre site and comprises 8 heactres of formal terraces, pleasure grounds, walled gardens and ponds around the house, and 92 heactres of Parkland. The River Stour flows from south to north through the site immediately to the north-west of the house, and the ground to the north-west and west of the river rises steeply to a level plateau occupied by Parkland. Alscot Park is approached from the A3400 road to the east. A pair of single-storey, early 19th century gothic lodges flank the entrance which is closed by 19th century wrought-iron gates. The tarmac drive, extends 240m west-south-west through the Park, before sweeping south-south-west to cross the dam retaining Lion's pond 130m north-east of the house and which separates it from a lower pond. The dam has a mid 19th century stone balustraded parapet to east and west giving the impression of a bridge, while to the west there is a high stone retaining wall. Immediately south of the bridge a service drive leads 50m south-east to the mid 18th century brick stables. The principal drive continues 80m south-west to reach the gravelled carriage turn below the south facade of the house; the drive encircles a central circular panel of lawn. PRINCIPAL BUILDING Alscot Park house is roughly T-shaped on plan, with a lower north wing comprising three storeys running north to the river from the principal or south wing. GARDENS AND PLEASURE GROUNDS Formal terraced gardens lie to the west and north-west of the house, with areas of informal pleasure grounds to the south and east of the house. The terraced gardens comprise a smaller, upper terrace below the west facade of the south wing of the house, and two parallel lower terraces to the west of the north wing. The terraces are bounded to the south, west and north by mid 19th century low stone balustrades with ogee-shaped moulded openings. Circular bastions project at the south-west, north-west and north-east corners of the terraces. A stone-flagged terrace extending the full width of the west facade of the south wing descends in a broad flight of stone steps to the upper terrace. Flights of stone steps descend from the north-west and north-east corners of the upper terrace to the north terraces which comprise two rectangular terraces separated by a bank and each laid out with a pair of square panels. The panels are divided by gravel walks, and linked by flights of stone steps aligned on those descending from the upper terrace. A further flight of steps aligned with the eastern walk descends to the river, while a gravel walk extends from west to east to the north of the terraced gardens, parallel to the river. To the east, this walk is terminated by a bastion, while a landing stage north-east of the house gave access to a private ferry to the north bank of the river. The pleasure grounds south and east of the house comprise lawns, and are separated from the Park to the west by low mid 19th century stone balustrades and 19th century metal fences. To the north, the pleasure grounds adjoin Lion's pond and a smaller rectangular pool to the west. Informal curvilinear walks lead through the shrubbery, passing a 19th century summerhouse or shelter 120m south-east of the house. This single-storey gabled brick structure has ornamental bargeboards and an area for standing out potted plants to the south-east. Some 10m south-east of the summerhouse an outcrop of Pulhamite rocks is arranged against the north wall of the Orangery. These artificial rocks survive from the internal arrangement of a fernery which was constructed in 1870; the remainder of the fernery is now demolished. The Orangery, a mid 18th cetntury brick structure lit by five tall sash windows and a late 20th century glass roof stands 140m south-east of the house overlooking a mid 20th century rectangular GARDEN. The GARDEN is laid out with herbaceous borders parallel to the east and west boundaries, with a rectangular, stone-edged swimming pool set in a central lawn. To the south of the swimming pool lies a 19th century stone circular fountain basin. Park Surrounding the house on all sides, the Park remains predominantly pasture, with areas in arable cultivation to the south and west. The River Stour flows in an S-shaped course from south to north through the Park, and is raised and widened by a stone weir 160m north of the house; there are further weirs controlling the level of the river flowing through the Park to the east of the village of Preston on Stour. The Park to the north-east of the house is bounded to the west by the artificially widened River Stour, and is separated from the pleasure grounds to the south by a chain of three ponds. The central, larger pond, Lion's pond, is approximately triangular on plan with a small island towards its wider, west end. The ponds to east and west of Lion's pond are approximately rectangular on plan. The ponds are of 17th century origin or earlier. To the east of Lion's pond the remnants of an avenue extend 240m east across the Park to the road; to the west this avenue is aligned on the drive leading to the south front of the house. The remnant of a similar avenue extends through the Park to the south of the house from a point 350m south-south-east of the house, crossing Preston Lane, and thence for 320m south-south-east through land in arable cultivation, to reach woodland on a south-facing slope which drops sharply to the level of the river 930m south-east of the house. The Park to the east and south of the house corresponds to the early deer park, and is marked as an enclosure with a pale fence on Beighton's Map of Kington Hundred (1730). A further area of Park remaining as pasture, lies to the west and north of the River Stour. The area to the north of the house and river is relatively level, while the ground to the west rises sharply from the level of the river. A 19th century plantation stands on the east-facing slope above the river 270m west of the house, while 430m west-south-west of the house a rounded mound overlooks the house, river and south Park from the crest of the slope above the river. Some 80m south-east of the mound, and linked to it by a levelled terrace, a declivity containing a spring descends from the crest of the slope to the river. These features survive from a rococo pleasure ground created by James West circa 1749. The mound was the site of a rotunda, while a Chinese pavilion stood in an area of shrubbery; both of these features are shown in elevation on the plan, but do not survive today.The pleasure ground was approached by crossing the river on the ferry to the north of the house, and thence by a walk which led through the Park north and west of the river. A further walk led through shrubbery on the southern boundary of the west Park, skirting Park Farm, to reach a lodge 700m south-west of the house. The lodge, which survives, gives access to a wide track which leads to the parish church in Preston on Stour. KITCHEN GARDEN The KITCHEN GARDEN, lies 160m south-east of the house and is screened from view by 18th and 19th century shrubbery and specimen trees. The GARDEN is rectangular on plan and is enclosed by mid 18th century brick walls 3m high. Today the GARDEN remains in cultivation as a productive and ornamental garden, with a late 20th century layout following the pattern recorded on the late 19th century OS maps with eight roughly rectangular beds arranged in two parallel groups each comprising four beds.
4 James West bought the estate circa 1744, and redeveloped it, with the 18th century garden buildings being erected in the early 1750s. As well as those noted in the existing Register, they included: a root house, a Chinese bench and a summer house. Designs for a rusticated ice house, a cascade and a Chinese temple also survive in the family papers, but it is unclear whether these were actually built. In the mid 19th century changes were made, including the construction of parterre terraces. 20th century garden features include a swimming pool GARDEN in a yew enclosure and a lavender parterre.
5 -
8 OS 1:10560 1884 Sht Warks 50NW etc marks Alscot Park as a deer park and clearly shows avenues, ponds and other features.
9 -
10 OS 1:10560 1924 Sht Warks 50NW etc shows Park shaded.
15 Landscape park and GARDENs to Alscot Park. The Park was originally a deer park, landscaped during the 18th century when tree belts were planted along the eastern boundary and woodland established in the southeast corner. Tree avenues were also planted. GARDENs were also planted during the 18th century, developed in the 19th century to include terraces and parterres. Hedges and lawns were planted in the mid 1960s and 1970. Landscape park to Alscot Park house covering an area of 100 hectares. The Park was improved in 1750-52 by Sanderson Miller. The formal terraced gardens were designed by William Davidson during the mid 19th century. In 1870 James Pulham II (1820-1898) and James Pulham III (1845-1920) were commissioned to install interior and exterior temperate ferneries within the GARDENs. Pulhamite stone rockwork identified to the southeast of the house arranged against the north wall of the Orangery, is thought to be the remains of one of the ferneries. The site has been included in the national Pulham database (ID number 120) and subsequently published in the gazetteer.
 
Sources

Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Register of Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England
Author/originator: English Heritage
Date: 1994
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 8, Gloucestershire
Author/originator: Pugh R B (ed)
Date: 1968
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 8
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Register Review Report & Recommendations
Author/originator: Lovie, Jonathan
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 11
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Register Review Data Tables (Stratford on Avon)
Author/originator: Lovie, Jonathan
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 15
Source Type: Digital Data
Title: National Record for the Historic Environment (NRHE) also known as AMIE, formerly known as NMR
Author/originator: Historic England
Date: 2014-2016
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 16
Source Type: Statuatory List
Title: National Heritage List for England
Author/originator: Historic England
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Map
Title: 50NW 1:10560 1884
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1884
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 50NW
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Map
Title: 44SW 1:10560 1887
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1887
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 44SW
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Map
Title: 44SE 1:10560 1887
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1887
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 44SE
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Map
Title: 50NE 1:10560 1884
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1884
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 50NE
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Map
Title: 50NE 1:10560 1924
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1924
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 50NE
   
Source No: 10
Source Type: Map
Title: 50NW 1:10560 1924
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1924
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 50NW
   
Source No: 13
Source Type: Map
Title: Historic Landscape Assessment Maps
Author/originator: Hooke D
Date: 1999
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 14
Source Type: Map
Title: Greenwood's Map of the County of Warwick 1822
Author/originator: Greenwood C & J
Date: 1822
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: SMW
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 790
   
Source No: 12
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Historic Landscape Assessment
Author/originator: Hooke D
Date: 1999
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
none Registered Park or Garden Parks and gardens that are considered to be of historic importance are placed on a register. The register comprises a variety of town gardens, public parks and country estates. The main purpose of the register is to help ensure that the features and qualities that make the parks and gardens special are safeguarded if changes are being considered which could affect them.

The gardens on the register are divided into three grades in order to give some guidance about their significance, in a similar way to Listed Buildings. The majority of parks and gardens on the Register are of sufficient interest as to be designated as grade II. Some, however, are recognised as being of exceptional historic interest and are awarded a star giving them grade II* status. A small number are of international importance, and are classified as grade I.
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source SMR Card Sites and Monuments Record Card. The Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record began to be developed during the 1970s. The details of individual archaeological sites and findspots were written on record cards. These record cards were used until the 1990s, when their details were entered on to a computerised system. The record cards are still kept at the office of the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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monument POOL * A small body of water, either natural or artificial. back
monument TERRACED GARDEN * A garden with one or more platforms with walks, often on different levels, usually close to the house. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument VILLAGE * A collection of dwelling-houses and other buildings, usually larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town with a simpler organisation and administration than the latter. back
monument BENCH * A long seat, usually made of stone or wood, with or without a back. back
monument ROTUNDA * An isolated building, circular in plan, generally consisting of one apartment with a domed roof, eg. Mausoleum at Castle Howard, Yorkshire. back
monument WEIR * A dam constructed on the reaches of a canal or river designed to retain the water and to regulate its flow. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument HERBACEOUS BORDER * A long bed planted with perennial flowers and plants. back
monument KITCHEN GARDEN * A private garden established primarily for growing vegetables and herbs for domestic consumption. back
monument FOUNTAIN * An artificial aperture from which water springs. The water supply usually came from a lake or reservoir higher up in order to ensure the necessary flow and pressure. More recently fountains have been powered by pumps. back
monument LODGE * A small building, often inhabited by a gatekeeper, gamekeeper or similar. Use specific type where known. back
monument LANDING STAGE * A platform, sometimes floating, for the landing of passengers and goods from vessels. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument DEER PARK * A large park for keeping deer. In medieval times the prime purpose was for hunting. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument FORMAL GARDEN * A garden of regular, linear or geometrical design, often associated with the traditional Italian, French and Dutch styles. back
monument PARK * An enclosed piece of land, generally large in area, used for hunting, the cultivation of trees, for grazing sheep and cattle or visual enjoyment. Use more specific type where known. back
monument BALUSTRADE * A row of balusters, usually made of stone, surmounted by a rail or coping. back
monument BOUNDARY * The limit to an area as defined on a map or by a marker of some form, eg. BOUNDARY WALL. Use specific type where known. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument GARDEN FEATURE * Unspecified landscape feature. Use more specific type where known. back
monument POND * A body of still water often artificially formed for a specific purpose. Use specifc type where known. back
monument PARISH CHURCH * The foremost church within a parish. back
monument ROOT HOUSE * A picturesque garden building decorated with tree roots, often serving as a HERMITAGE or ARBOUR. back
monument FACADE * Use wider site type where known. Only use term where no other part of original building survives. back
monument DRIVE * A road/carriage way giving access from the main road to the house, stables. back
monument SHELTER * A structure which protects an area of ground from the weather. back
monument ROCKWORK * An area of either natural or artificial stone arranged to resemble a rocky outcrop or cliff face within animal cages/enclosures of a Zoo. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument WALK * A place or path for walking in a park or garden. Use more specific type where possible. back
monument PASTURE * A field covered with herbage for the grazing of livestock. back
monument PARTERRE * A level space in a garden occupied by ornamental flower beds. back
monument WELL * A shaft or pit dug in the ground over a supply of spring-water. back
monument CASCADE * An artificial fall of water often taking the form of a water staircase. back
monument CHINESE PAVILION * A light, ornamental structure in a garden, park or place of recreation built in the Chinese style. back
monument BRIDGE * A structure of wood, stone, iron, brick or concrete, etc, with one or more intervals under it to span a river or other space. Use specific type where known. back
monument ENCLOSURE * An area of land enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or other similar barrier. Use specific type where known. back
monument TREE AVENUE * A straight road lined with trees along either side, also straight lines of trees found in parkland usually leading to a landscape feature. back
monument BASTION * A flanking tower, or projection from the main walls of a defensive work from which a garrison can defend the ground in front or on the flank. back
monument SQUARE * An open space or area, usually square in plan, in a town or city, enclosed by residential and/or commercial buildings, frequently containing a garden or laid out with trees. back
monument SUMMERHOUSE * A building in a garden or park designed to provide a shady retreat from the heat of the sun. back
monument GARDEN * An enclosed piece of ground devoted to the cultivation of flowers, fruit or vegetables and/or recreational purposes. Use more specific type where known. back
monument LANDSCAPE PARK * Grounds, usually associated with a country house, laid out so as to produce the effect of natural scenery back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument ORANGERY * A gallery or building in a garden, usually south facing, used for the growing of oranges and other fruit. back
monument HEDGE * Usually a row of bushes or small trees planted closely together to form a boundary between pieces of land or at the sides of a road. back
monument GARDEN BUILDING * Includes some structures that are not strictly buildings. Use a more specific term where possible. back
monument STABLE * A building in which horses are accommodated. back
monument TREE BELT * An alignment of trees planted as part of a designed landscape. For a belt lining a road use TREE AVENUE. back
monument PLANTATION * A group of planted trees or shrubs, generally of uniform age and of a single species. back
monument ISLAND * A piece of land, sometimes man-made, completely surrounded by water. back
monument CROSS * A free-standing structure, in the form of a cross (+), symbolizing the structure on which Jesus Christ was crucified and sacred to the Christian faith. Use specific type where known. back
monument WALLED GARDEN * A garden surrounded by a substantial wall. back
monument SPRING * A point where water issues naturally from the rock or soil onto the ground or into a body of surface water. back
monument GATE * A movable stucture which enables or prevents entrance to be gained. Usually situated in a wall or similar barrier and supported by gate posts. back
monument GARDEN TERRACE * A flat, level area of ground within a garden. Often raised and accessed by steps. back
monument LAWN * A flat, and usually level area of mown and cultivated grass, attached to a house. back
monument STEPS * A series of flat-topped structures, usually made of stone or wood, used to facilitate a person's movement from one level to another. back
monument MOUND * A natural or artificial elevation of earth or stones, such as the earth heaped upon a grave. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FARM * A tract of land, often including a farmhouse and ancillary buildings, used for the purpose of cultivation and the rearing of livestock, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FENCE * A construction of wood or metal used to enclose an area of land, a building, etc. back
monument SHRUBBERY * A plantation of shrubs. back
monument SWIMMING POOL * A large, manmade pool, usually lined with tiles, rubber or similar. Can be placed in the open air, eg. a LIDO, or built as part of a covered sports centre. back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back
monument ORNAMENTAL GARDEN * A decorative garden, often landscaped, laid out with intricate flower beds and hedges, and often containing ornate sculptures, fountains and garden ornaments. back
monument TEMPLE * Use for places of worship. For later landscape features use, eg. GARDEN TEMPLE. back
monument RETAINING WALL * A wall constructed for the purpose of confining or supporting a mass of earth or water. back
monument DAM * A barrier of concrete or earth, etc, built across a river to create a reservoir of water for domestic and/or industrial usage. back
monument TERRACE * A row of houses attached to and adjoining one another and planned and built as one unit. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record