Locally Registered Garden: Duntish Court (DDO19719)

Brief description of site: Duntish Court lies in an historic parkland setting on a ledge below the ancient hill fort of Dungeon Hill. The present 20th century bungalow is built on the site of the former mansion house and faces east with extensive views towards Ibberton Hill. The land falls sharply to the south where the view is now mostly obscured by trees but which would have originally afforded fine views. To the south is a canal shaped brick lined lake currently of irregular form with a restored cascade at the western end. Above this is the south facing Grotto. The rusticated summer house designed by Chambers is to the north of the main drive and is now surrounded by trees. There is also a walled garden area just south of the entrance drive gate. Brief history of site: Originally called Castle Hill there was an Elizabethan House on the estate owned by Thomas Barnes, but it was on a different site from the present house. The estate was at one point owned by the 1st Duke of Marlborough’s father. The 1st Duke sold the estate to Mr Foy whose son Fitzwalter Foy demolished the Elizabethan House and built the new one designed by Chambers in 1760. The new house was of three stories with two wings attached to the main house by colonnades. The property remained in the Foy family until 1878 when it was bought by the Holford family. Thomas Holford who owned the estate post WWll was unable to leave the house to his daughters and therefore sold the house and grounds to a developer who demolished the house in 1965. The estate remained in the family and the site of the house was eventually bought back. The present members of the family live in the new bungalow built in 1971. Significance: The gardens at Duntish are a relatively compact and complete example of the work of the influential garden designer, Sir William Chambers (1723-96). The views which play a significant part in the effect of the garden, are preserved and the Cascade and Grotto bear comparison with the work of father and son Joseph and Josiah Lane of Tisbury. Sources: J Harris Sir William Chambers, 1970, p 10,46,47,63,207,215,245 J Hutchins History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset, vol III, p 708 A Oswald Country Houses of Dorset, 1935 (1959) p 164 Timothy Mowl Historic Gardens of Dorset, 2003, p 11, 74-6, Ill. P.13

Record last edited

Feb 26 2016 4:59PM