Dumbleton Old Hall, Dumbleton, England

Dutch-style Water Garden

The Dutch-style water garden shown on the Kip engraving was probably built when Sir Richard Cocks rebuilt the manor house after acquiring it in 1684.

Chronology

1534  Sir Thomas Pope granted the Manor of Dumbleton upon the dissolution of the monasteries.

1554  The estate was inherited by Edmund Hutchins, son of Sir Thomas Pope's second sister. He married Dorothy Cocks in 1556, to whom the estate was transferred when he died in 1602.

1628 Sir Charles Percy, the second husband of Dorothy Cocks, died.

1646 Charles Cocks, Dorothy Cocks' brother, a bachelor, inherited the estate.

1654 Sir Thomas Cocks from Castleditch, Herefordshire inherited, becoming High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1655.

1684 Sir Richard Cocks (about 1659-1726) inherited the estate and rebuilt the house with seven bays, possibly designed by Roger or William Hurlbutt, shortly afterwards. He had no children, although he was married twice.

1710 The likely date of Kip's engraving, published 1712.

1726 Sir Richard's brother, the Reverend Sir Robert Cocks DD inherited the estate.

1740 He was succeeded by his fourth son, Sir Robert Cocks.

1765 Sir Robert died after falling from his horse. His daughter Dorothy continued to live at Dumbleton.

1767 Dorothy died, aged 18, and the manor was closed. The title passed to Charles Cocks of Castleditch, Herefordshire. The house was partly pulled down and partly used as a farmhouse.

1822 Sale particulars for this time show that some water features and a building on part of the site of the former hall still existed. The area is described as ‘Great House, Bowling Green, Fish Pools, etc' and ‘Garden'.

1830s A new house, Dumbleton Hall, was built further from the village to the west.

1875 The estate's plan in the sale particulars of this date gives no indication of any survival of any feature.