Melbury Park, West Dorset, England

The following is from the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest

HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT

Melbury House was enlarged in about 1530 for Sir Giles Strangways, and enlarged and remodelled again in 1692 by (John) Watson for Sir Thomas Strangways. Additions were made in 1872 by Anthony Salvin for the 5th Earl of Ilchester, and further additions by G Devey in 1884-1885. Late 20th century restoration was undertaken by Bertram and Fell.

The stables to northof the property were built in the late 17th cenutry, with additions in 1801-1802 by John Brettingham. There is a hexagonal turret 30 metres to the west which originated in the 16th century and was altered in about 1762. There are 18th century walled kitchen gardens 120 metres west of house. The chapel of St Mary, 60 metres to east-south-east, forms a visual part of the landscape scheme. Lion Lodge, with the late 17th century Lion Gates, lies to south of house. Chetnole Lodge, built in 1870, is sited 900 metres to the north-east of the house.

The extent of 16th and 17th century gardening or landscaping at Melbury is uncertain, although Great High Wood retains outlines of radial avenues and a central clearing, the Circle, which could be 17th century. The 17th century approach to Melbury came across the present 'glen' or valley 200 metres east of the house via a 10-arched bridge which crossed a formal canal. Both the canal and the bridge were abolished in mid-18th century 'landscaping', which produced the sweeping lawns around the house from north-east to south-west, and the enlargement or creation by 1762 of Melbury Lake. A ha-ha was created between the western end of the walled kitchen garden and the south-west tip of Melbury Lake. Lucerne Lake was created in the later 19th century.

Mid- and late-19th century planting of rare trees and shrubs at Melbury was in 2 main areas: (1) to east of the chapel, in the 'glen' or valley with 2 ponds and stream running north-south for about 300 metres, and (2) between Melbury House and the line of the ha-ha, leaving open a broad sweep of lawn down to the Lake. These 19th century plantings accompany scattered mature trees from the 18th century, and have been supplemented in the 20th century, to make an arboretum within the larger landscape.