Information for record number MWA8529:
Avonside House garden

Summary The gardens of Avonside House, which were created between the First and Second World Wars. The gardens have now been divided up, but are located to the south of Grange Road, Bidford on Avon.
What Is It?  
Type: Garden
Period: Modern (1914 AD - 2050 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Bidford on Avon
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 10 51
(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: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

  
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Riverside pleasure grounds with mixed planting and walks and kitchen garden. In the 1930s was the home of Muriel Marston (wife of Dr HMC Crawford) who wrote two books describing her garden making here.
2 Avonside House is a fine example of the arts and crafts building tradition, but the site's interest is principally as a particularly well documented inter-war garden. The House was bought by Dr and Mrs HML Crawford after the First World War, and in the 1930s, Mrs Crawford (aka Muriel Marston) published three well-illustrated books describing the gardens created at Avonside. Features documented in these books and still surviving in the mid 1980s include: a stone paved terrace, loggia, topiary, dry stone planted walls, a fruit tree walk and a rose garden. The site has since been divided, but despite some inappropriate additions retains much of its character. Lovie recommends the site be inspected with a view to granting Listed Building Status to House and contemporary structural elements. He also recommends the site should be included on the Local List as a key site; and states that the site might be appropriate for future consideration for inclusion on the Register as an unusally well-documented example of an inter-War garden in the Arts and Crafts tradition.
3 OS 1:10560 1924 Sht Warks 43SW shows Avonside House, but predates completion of garden.
4 Information from descendant of Mrs Crawford. She wrote under the name Muriel Marston, but her name was Muriel Marie Margaret Crawford. She used her husband's middle name of Marston as her pen name. Under her pen name, she wrote 3 books about her garden - "A garden by the Avon", "Who Loves a garden" and "garden Magic". The House "Avonside" was extended and redesigned by Baillie Scott.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
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: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Register Review Report & Recommendations
Author/originator: Lovie, Jonathan
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Information on Avonside House Gardens
Author/originator: L Crawford
Date: 2010
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Map
Title: 43SW 1:10560 1924
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1924
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 43SW
   
Images:  
A view of the gardens at Avonside House, Bidford upon Avon
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1930
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
designation Listed Building Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a statutory list. These buildings are protected by planning and conservation acts that ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them.

Depending on how important the buildings are they are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest. Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Those listed as Grade II are those buildings that are regarded of special interest.
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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 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.
more -> 		back
monument ROSE GARDEN * A garden, often geometrical in layout, or area for the cultivation of roses. back
monument GRANGE * An outlying farm or estate, usually belonging to a religious order or feudal lord. Specifically related to core buildings and structures associated with monastic land holding. Use specific term where known. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument KITCHEN GARDEN * A private garden established primarily for growing vegetables and herbs for domestic consumption. 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 STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. 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 WELL * A shaft or pit dug in the ground over a supply of spring-water. back
monument PEN * A small enclosure for cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument LOGGIA * A covered arcade, often attached to a building, open on one or more sides. 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 WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. 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