Monument record MDO7888 - Gardens and landscape park at Creech Grange, Steeple

Landscape park and gardens to Creech Grange laid out between 1738-41 by Denis Bond to provide a new setting for the house which had been just remodelled. The new scheme included the creation of a formal garden and canal to the west of the house, the laying out of informal pleasure gardens which comprised a series of pools, construction of an arch designed as an eyecatcher and a chapel which was designed as a landscape feature. Both the park and gardens were the subject of an extensive replanting programme during the 19th century.

Early 18th century gardens and landscape, retaining formal characteristics, with lakes and woodland developed in the 19th century. Estate in divided ownership since 1979, with central area of about 23 hectares. Eighteenth century walls and gate piers to north and south of east forecourt to house. Walled kitchen garden to north west, of which the south side had collapsed by 1979. On the southern side of this, a scheme of formal gardens and ponds extends westwards, probably dated from the 1740s, though considerably modified in early 20th century, ruinous by 1979. <1>

Landscape park and gardens laid out between 1738-41. Features include formal gardens and informal pleasure grounds. Alterations to the latter took place during the 19th century when specimen trees and an ornamental shrubbery were planted. <2>

The grounds were laid out between 1738-41 by Denis Bond to provide a new setting for the house which had been remodelled. This included the creation of a formal garden and canal to the west of the house, the laying out of informal pleasure gardens which comprised a series of pools, construction of an arch (Monument HOB UID 457054) designed as an eyecatcher and a chapel (Monument HOB UID 457088) which was designed as a landscape feature. Both the park and gardens were the subject of an extensive replanting programme during the 19th century. A conservation programme was implemented in 1979. <3>

<1> English Heritage, 1984-1987, Register of parks and gardens of special historic interest in England: Dorset (Monograph). SWX1383.

<2> English Heritage, 2005, Register of parks and gardens of special historic interest in England: Dorset (Revised) (Monograph). SDO17438.

<3> Historic England, Register of parks and gardens of special historic interest: amendment, June 2010 (Scheduling record). SDO18310.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 619266 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 15 2022 4:24PM