Eighteenth century or earlier landscaped garden, Bradwell Lodge (EHER 2065)

An 18th century or earlier landscaped garden in the grounds of Bradwell Lodge. It comprises a short shrub-lined drive from the High Street and a second drive, approached from the South on Bacons Chase, which winds through a small park which has been restored. A semi-circular ha-ha ditch encloses a broad sweep of lawn. Excavations in 1962 of an earthwork mound in the grounds of the park and thought to be the remains of an ice-house concluded it was probably a landscape feature. A late 18th century print of the site shows a low mound with trees which is probably the earthwork.

Entrances and approaches: There is a short shrub-lined drive from the High Street through iron gates on brick piers. A second winding drive approaches the house from the South from Bacons Chase through the small park, and was restored along its original line by the present owner on the evidence of parch marks seen from the air. It crosses the ha-ha ditch over a red brick bridge. This has been rebuilt to the original design (re-using some of the old material) and has a three-centred arch in stock brick with an ornamental keystone on the East side. Garden and pleasure grounds: These are mostly informal with grass, trees and shrubs. North of the short entrance drive from the High Street is a roughly circular pond, partly hidden by shrubs and trees, and screened from the High Street by a red brick wall. A gate in this wall provided the former incumbents with a shortcut to the church. There are three large Magnolia grand-flora planted against the West side of the house with a line of dwarf box hedging. Immediately East of the house in the gravelled turning circle is a Gingko b//ciba planted by Chou En-lai. Further East, under trees, is the last remaining concrete base of a number of wartime Nissen huts (see EHER 38605), and an enigmatic mound, surrounded by a yew hedge. This was thought to be an icehouse, but an archaeological excavation in 1962 failed to find any typical features, and suggested that it may have been the base of a garden structure (see below). Just South of the house is a fine group of holm oaks. One tree, which is hollow, seems to be of considerable age and one of its branches has layered. The others are younger, so it is not clear if they were planted as a group or have spread from a single specimen. They have recovered well from storm damage in 1987. There is an old mulberry tree and a large eucalyptus nearer to the ha-ha ditch. Further South there is a semi-circular ha-ha ditch enclosing a broad sweep of lawn (no evidence of a brick retaining wall was seen). This contains water and terminates at its West end in a pond. At the North end it ends abruptly, with no obvious evidence of its continuation either as ha-ha or a fence to exclude grazing animals from the park. Immediately East of the house is a new parterre for flowers and vegetables in compartments, with a central circular water tank surrounded by cordoned fruit trees on a circular iron frame. The parterre is surrounded by a yew hedge. Immediately to the NE is an older laurel maze (of unknown date). Further to the East is an orchard area with a line of poplars on its South side. Park: To the South of the ha-ha ditch there is a small park under rough grass, containing a number of free-standing oak trees (of which there were more before the 1987 gale). There is new tree planting along the drive to Bacons Chase. <1> June 1962. Archaeological excavation. The mound was found to be 25 ft in diameter, and about 4ft in height. The low sides were fairly steep, but the whole of the top (which appeared to be flat) was actually 'saucer' shaped, sinking to about a foot in depth in the centre. The possibility that the mound had covered an ice-house and that the central chamber had collapsed was probable. However, its curious appearance suggested some other explanation as to its origin. <1> July 1962. Archaeological excavation. A section was excavated through the edge of the mound nearest the house. Fragments of brick were found around the edge of the top, but no other finds were recovered. There were several possibilities as to the purpose of the mound, but nothing conclusive as to its age. The fragments of 18th century brick may suggest a period of activity at that time with the mound. It was suggested that a summer house or temple might well have existed in the location, although no building remains were encountered. A late 18th century print of Bradwell Lodge, shows a low mound with trees upon it on the South side, resembling a small plantation. It was concluded that the mound was probably a landscape feature. <2>