More information : (Centred ST 930265) Wardour Park (NAT)
Significant names:
ST 94552627 Park Gate (NAT)
ST 92852577 Pale Park Pond (NAT)
ST 923263 Park Pond (NAT)
ST 92032586 Park Gate Farm (NAT). (1)
Two deer parks are mentioned at Wardour in 1583. (2)
Manuscript map of 1753 shows area centred ST 923260 as Great Park. (3)
The palings of 2 deer parks at Wardour were taken up during
the siege of 1643-4 together with the heads of 12 fishponds. (4)
The remains of the Md park pale are visible on the eastern side
of Wardour Park running from ST 94512616 northwards along the
modern boundary to ST 94282700, where it fades to a ditch feature
running along the steep Greensand ridge to the NW. A strong bank,
probably the remains of the park pale, is then visible from
ST 92422664 to Parkgate Farm. No other traces of the pale
remain though its course has been partially deduced from old
field boundaries. The present ponds visible within the park are
probably those mentioned in Authy 4. Pale surveyed at 1:2500. (5)
18th century landscape park which, at its most extensive covered an area of 400ha. Now in divided use and ownership. Garden activity is uncertain before the 18th century. A view of the gardens in 1732 shows a modest formal garden to the south of the Old Castle. In 1764 Richard Woods was consulted, his work included the refashioning of the grove north of the Old Castle, designing the walled garden, building an ice house (1765) and garden buildings including a greenhouse (1769), Gothic temple (1768, demolished 1985) and making a series of ponds. He was also responsible for the terrace and pinery. In 1773 Lord Arundell contracted Capability Brown, who was responsible for some of the gardens and the ha ha. (6)
Eighteenth century landscape park at New Wardour Castle. Some of the garden features are included within the scheduling of Old Wardour Castle (7-8)
The castle's setting was remodelled during the 1570s by Robert Smythson. The formal gardens, with the castle forming a picturesque centrepiece, were laid out in 1686 with additions dating to the early 18th century. The park was landscaped by Richard Woods from 1764 to 1772. Lancelot Brown consulted on changes to the park on two occassions, in 1754 and 1773. His proposals for 1773 do not appear to be implemented. No major changes were made to the landscape during the 19th century or early 20th century. (9)
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