Early 20th century garden at Great Ruffins (EHER 47418)

An early 20th century garden laid out by Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo, one of the foremost designers of furniture, textiles and metalwork in the 1880s, also an architect and a social reformer.

LOCATION, AREA, BOUNDARIES , LANDFORM & SETTING The site is to the south of Beacon Hill and west of Goat Lodge Road. To the south is open countryside, and another property adjoins to the west. The site is one of the driest places in Essex (rarely more than 22” rain per annum) and is on sand and gravel. The upper part of the site is level but slopes down to the south. BNTLAJ’4CES & APPROACHES The house (EHER 38865) is approached by a drive from Beacon Hill. The lodge appears to have been considerably modernized or rebuilt. GARDENS & PLEASURE GROUNDS All the main features of the garden, described above, have survived, though much of the detailed planting has been lost. Some surviving rhododendrons and azaleas struggle in the acid soil. Laurel, sycamore and silver birch are invasive. Starting from below the terrace on the south side of the house, the following features of the original garden survive: a) a circular pond leading through a pergola to b) a circular lawn beyond which is c) the rockery. Though the bridge has not survived, there appear to have been at least two during the garden’s history, and the rockery itself was supplied with water from the upper pond, though the supply system is now defunct. Beyond the rockery is d) the bowling green with viewing terrace along its northern edge. Further south is e) the cedar avenue, now very overgrown. The central culminating elm, shown in an early photograph, has not survived. KITCHEN GARDEN This is on the east side of the site. By 1999 the two 60 foot glasshouses were on the point of collapse and were demolished. The boiler house and the garden walls were repaired and the area grassed over. <1> This garden was added to Historic England's Register of Parks and Gardens on 11/08/25 and is registered at Grade II. <2>