53 sites across Gloucestershire are recognised by Historic England as heritage assets of exceptional or special importance. The Trust has documented several hundred more of regional or local importance. Every spring and summer our members have the opportunity to visit a selection of these gardens, many of which are in private hands. We are frequently shown round by their inspired owners and skillful and knowledgeable gardeners.
The Trust also continues to discover more and more about this county’s gardening heritage through its own research. We are particularly rich in gardens created during the early 18th century, the years in the run up to the WWI and the later decades of the late 20th century. ‘Capability Brown’s’ influence is less obvious; possibly because of the natural drama that the Cotswold escarpment brings to the landscape.
We were also generally beyond the reach of Victorian urban entrepreneurs seeking a weekend country estate even after the expansion of the railway network, although a notable exception laid out by Robert Holford at Westonbirt just outside Tetbury continues to be recognised for it’s international horticultural excellence.
Gloucestershire Gardens on the National Register
Historic England administers the national Register of Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England. Sites of exceptional interest are categorized as Grade I. Grade II* indicates a site of particular importance and more than special interest. Grade II is of special interest warranting every effort to preserve it.
Inclusion on the Register does not bring statuary control but it does require local authorities to make provision for such sites as ‘material considerations’ in their plans.
Unfortunately, a handful of the county’s registered sites also appear on Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ Register. Currently these include Hatherop Castle, thought to have been worked on by Richard Woods, a contemporary of ‘Capability’ Brown, and three of the 18th century garden buildings surrounding Barrington House; one of which was tentatively linked by the architectural historian John Harris to the design genius of William Kent. Alfred’s Tower in Cirencester Park also appears on Historic England’s list of buildings ‘At Risk’. Swathed in scaffolding in an effort to halt its collapse; this would be a tragic loss. It is widely recognised as the first Gothic revival garden building constructed in England, and the product of the lively friendship of the poet Alexander Pope and the owner of Cirencester Park, Lord Bathurst.
