Early 19th century walled garden and vinery, Hamilton Lodge, Parsons Hill (EHER 80438)

A red brick walled garden on the Hamilton Lodge estate which is situated directly behind the coach house on its NE side and was probably built in the early 19th century at the same time as the coach house and former main house. Whilst the garden is heavily overgrown at present, it is likely that the area would have formerly been used for formal planting of fruit, vegetables and possibly non-edible flower and plant displays. A derelict 'Vine House' is situated at the SE extent.

June 2022. Heritage assessment. A red brick walled garden on the Hamilton Lodge estate which is situated directly behind the coach house on its NE side. Whilst the garden is heavily overgrown at present, it is likely that the area would have formerly been used for formal planting of fruit, vegetables and possibly non-edible flower and plant displays. The age of the walls, as illustrated by the appearance of the brickwork and associated patina, is likely contemporaneous with that of the coach house and therefore may predate the present Hamilton Lodge. This is further evidenced by the presence of a formal garden in this position on the 1820 map of Great Bromley. Presently, the built aspects of the garden include the NE wall alignment and the remains of a ‘vine house’ at the Eastern extent of the area. Undated (likely late 20th century) photographical evidence records that, formerly, the NW boundary to the garden incorporated a further group of buildings at its Western extent, adjacent to the NW extent of the coach house. The present remains of greenhouses within the garden are not present in the photograph, indicating that these were a late 20th century addition. A modern wall now forms the NW boundary. At the SE extent of the garden is a derelict structure that is indicated on late 20th century photographs as the ‘Vine House’. The structure incorporated a large, glazed roof, orientated to the SE, likely for the growing of grape vines or similar. The structure is in a ruinous state and is substantially obscured by vegetation, including unmaintained vines from within the structure. <1>