Monument record MDO2700 - Gardens at Forde Abbey, Thorncombe

Formal gardens, landscape park and pleasance to Forde Abbey. The formal gardens, comprising formal lawns, a canal and cascade, and the landscape park were developed by Margaret and Francis Gwyne between 1702 and 1727. The gardens and pleasure grounds were planted between 1864 and 1906 by Mrs Bertram Evans and subsequently by her son Herbert Evans and from 1906 by Mrs Freeman Roper. The gardens have been planted throughout the 20th century by the Roper family. The cascade was restored during the mid 20th century by Geoffrey Roper. The arboretum was also developed during the mid 20th century.

Early C18 formal gardens and landscape, remodelled late C19 with extensive plantings, restored and developed mid C20 onwards, c.10ha. Walled kitchen garden to north and north west of Forde Abbey, C18. Apart from the fish ponds, details of monastic and C17 gardening are imprecise. Principal axis to south, now lawn extending over rising ground to gates, ha ha and avenue leading southwards for 1/2km. <1>

Formal gardens comprising formal lawns, a canal and cascade, and a landscape park were developed by Margaret and Francis Gwyne between 1702 and 1727. The gardens and pleasure grounds were planted between 1864 and 1906 by Mrs Bertram Evans and subsequently by her son Herbert Evans and from 1906 by Mrs Freeman Roper. The gardens have been planted throughout the 20th century by the Roper family. The cascade was restored during the mid 20th century by Geoffrey Roper. The arboretum was also developed during the mid 20th century. <6>

A rapid examination <5> of air photography suggests the layout of the formal gardens (on the terraces to the southeast of the house) is visible as parchmarks in the lawns. <5.1>

<1> DOE (HRR), 1950, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Beaminster Rural District 1950, 38 (Scheduling record). SDO17358.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, 1952, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume I (West), 2 (Monograph). SDO97.

<3> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1962 (Map). SWX1540.

<4> English Heritage, 1984-1987, Register of parks and gardens of special historic interest in England: Dorset, GD1708 (Monograph). SWX1383.

<5> 1989, SOM 13185: 14-15 (Aerial Photograph). SDO18197.

<5.1> Miller, Andrew, 1993, RCHME: AP Primary Recording Project, 26-JAN-1993 (Unpublished document). SWX1708.

<6> English Heritage, 2005, Register of parks and gardens of special historic interest in England: Dorset (Revised) (Monograph). SDO17438.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 619196 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 4 2022 10:22AM