Brancepeth Castle, Durham, England
Record Id: 512
The following is from the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.
HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT
The site was owned by the Bulmer family in the 12th century, and had passed to the Neville family through marriage before the end of the century. In the 13th century it passed to the Fitzmaldred family, who changed their name to Neville and were created earls of Westmorland in the 14th century. Brancepeth was confiscated by the Crown in the 16th as a consequence of the Nevilles' part in the Rising of the North, and eventually came into the possession of Robert Carr, Viscount Rochester and Baron Carr of Brancepeth, who was a favourite of James I, but reverted to the Crown soon afterwards. After several changes of ownership it passed to the Russell family and thence by marriage to the Boyne family in 1850. The estate was sold to the Duke of Westminster in 1948, and was subsequently divided and sold in 1959.
The estate remains (1998) in divided private ownership and part of the park is owned by a golf club.
Site timeline
1300 to 1399: A park has been associated with Brancepeth Castle from at least the 14th century.
1611: A county map by John Speed dating to 1611 shows Brancepeth Castle standing between two parks. These are marked as East Park and West Park(English Heritage, 2004, 3).
1726 to 1730: A view of around 1728 shows a formal garden on the south side of the castle(English Heritage, 2004, 2). It had tree lined alleys which radiated from a rondpoint. In the centre of the rondpoint was a fountain or statue.
1783: A design by Adam Mickle shows a system of tree belts and clumps. It also shows the Beck diverted and dammed to form a lake. This scheme was only partially carried out. Some of the planting was instigated but the Beck was not dammed.
1800 to 1833: A picture suggests that the formal garden on the south side of the castle was replaced by informal planting(English Heritage, 2004, 2). A terrace was also added on the south west of the castle at this time.
1857 to 1898: Two large fishponds and one smaller pond were added to the park between 1857 and 1898.
1868 to 1899: A rose garden was added to the south and east side of the castle. Also, the park reached its largest extent during this period.
1924: The south and east areas of the park were converted to a golf course and the stables became a golf clubhouse.
1968 to 1999: Private houses were built on the west side of the pleasure grounds in the late 20th century.
1998: The pleasure grounds to the north of the castle became private gardens.
People associated with this site
Designer: Adam Mickle, senior (died 1809)
Architect: John Paterson (died 1832)
Architect: Anthony Salvin (born 1799 died 1881)
Features
gate
Feature created: 1834 to 1867
The principal entrance to the estate. The entrance screen is made up of stone piers with gates and railings.
Designation status: English Heritage Listed Building Designation Grade II
gate lodge
Feature created: 1834 to 1867
Designation status: English Heritage Listed Building Designation Grade II
gate lodge
Feature created: 1868 to 1899
Tudhoe Lodge.
Designation status: English Heritage Listed Building Designation Grade II
terrace
Feature created: 1800 to 1833
A terrace which lies south west of the castle and runs along a steep drop providing views of Stockley Beck and the pleasure grounds. It has bastions which are linked by a retaining wall with a crenellated parapet.
Designation status: English Heritage Listed Building Designation Grade II
pond
Feature created: 1857 to 1898
One of two large fish ponds which lie south east of the castle. It is shown on the 1898 Ordnance Survey map but not on the 1857 map.
skating pond
Feature created: 1857 to 1898
A small pond, called Skating Pond which lies north east of the castle. It is shown on the 1898 Ordnance Survey map but not on the 1857 map.
pond
Feature created: 1857 to 1898
One of two large fish ponds which lie south east of the castle. It is shown on the 1898 Ordnance Survey map but not on the 1857 map.
© Copyright Parks and Gardens Data Services Ltd. 2007