Date and Time
Owned by the Ducie family from 1613 and known as Spring Park until their departure in the 1840s. this secluded deep valley is a predominantly Georgian landscape (Grade II) in the process of long-term restoration by the National Trust. Thoss Shearer, of GGLT’s research team, will lead a circular walk taking in the chain of lakes and attractive boathouse and pay particular attention to the recently exposed remains of the terraced Italian Gardens. Thoss will expand on what is known about the historical development of the park (both Capability Brown and Humphry Repton appear to have been consulted but execution was left to others).
After tea/coffee and cake, there will then be a tour of the High Victorian Gothic Woodchester Mansion (Grade I) conducted by Woodchester Mansion Trust’s archivist Liz Davenport (the Mansion is closed to the public that day). The Mansion – on the site of the demolished Ducie house – was commissioned by William Leigh, fervent Catholic convent and wealthy son of a Liverpool merchant, but abandoned before completion.
Numbers limited to 24 (priority to GGLT and AGT members). £20 per person, including refreshments and minibus from and back to the National Trust Buckholt car park (£3 parking fee for non-National Trust members). The walk will be taken at moderate pace, mainly on maintained paths, but includes steep sections and some steps. The Mansion’s upper storeys and cellar are accessible only by stairs.
