Monument record MDO48591 - St Mark's Lodge, Brownsea Island, Studland

St Mark’s Lodge is located on the south side of the island, set on ground that rises a few metres sharply from the shore.

The map of 1853 does not show a building on this site but a cruciform plan building is shown on the map accompanying the sale particulars of 1859 near which is the label ‘Fowl house’ (Figure 3). The sale particulars refer to a brick and tile dove-cot and fowl
house after describing South Shore Lodge. Given the plan of the building shown on the map it is reasonable to assume that St Mark’s Lodge originated as an ornamental dovecot which was later converted, with the insertion of the stack and probable refenestration, into a cottage which was, in the early C20 used as the gardener’s cottage.

The 1929 and 1933 OS 25” maps show a small addition to the north end of the north wing. This was replaced by the present mono-pitched roof extension in the late C20. Battrick, in his book Brownsea Islander describes visiting the island shortly before the death of Mrs Bonham-Christie in 1961 and refers to St Mark’s Lodge as being ‘partiallyruined’. From this reference it can be assumed that some considerable work has been undertaken on this building by the National Trust after it acquired the Island.

There is evidence of structural movement in the S wing. Rusting ironwork embedded within the fabric of the windows is causing the render to crack and spall.

St Mark’s Lodge is not listed but is certainly a heritage asset. The building retains a C19 lodge character (although this may not have been the original function of the building) and has only a small extension on its N side. Unfortunately, any fireplaces have been removed and some of the windows have been replaced meaning that the building may not be considered to have sufficient special interest to merit listing.

<1> Edwards, Bob, 2011, South Shore Group, The Vinery & Seymour's Villa, Brownsea Island (Monograph). SDO20919.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Sep 10 2024 2:44PM