Locally Registered Garden: Clifton Maybank (DDO19718)

Brief description of site: Clifton Maybank is two miles south east of Yeovil and to the west of the village of Bradford Abbas. It is approached via a tree lined drive from the south and sits on a plateau above the River Yeo. The drive terminates on a terraced area with the house on the left and a fall to the right, to the river. The garden fronts of the house face south and west over lawns, raised walks and walls. Gate piers and wrought iron gates lead into the park where ancient trees remain, once part of formal avenues. In the south west corner of the grounds there is a two storey summer house built c1700 Brief history of site: The name Maybank is a corruption of the name of early owners, the Maubans, who married into the Horsey family originally from Bridgwater. Clifton Maybank was built by Sir John Horsey, a very important landowner, in 1546. The house was of considerable size and approached through an elaborate two storey gatehouse. Over a period of 60 years the family became bankrupt and the estate was granted to John Hele in 1635. The property then passed to the Harvey family who embellished it before it passed to Peter Walter of Stalbridge. To settle debts Clifton Maybank and Stalbridge were acquired by the Earl of Uxbridge. He owned considerable properties elsewhere so he stripped Clifton Maybank, demolishing much of the house and selling parts to the Phelips family of Montacute. The gateway was moved to Hinton St. George. The remaining house was sold in 1825 and was used as a farmhouse passing through a number of hands until in 1971 Clifton was purchased by the current owner who has maintained and restored the property. Significance: Notable remains relating to gardens of once considerable grandeur in the 16th & 17th centuries. The bowling green may be one of only two known surviving examples of this period in the county. Clifton Maybank had links with important figures in history, particularly in the later medieval and Tudor period, and this gives added significance to any surviving elements. Sources: A Oswald Country Houses of Dorset, 1935 (1959) p 75 Timothy Mowl Historic Gardens of Dorset, 2003, pp 41,50, 107 Ill. P.51

Record last edited

Apr 12 2016 11:43AM