Monument record 1653/1/2 - Probable C17th/C18th Formal Gardens (Morphed Aerial Archaeology Interpretation)

Earthwork: Non-destructive fieldwork

{1} At Woodford a massive series of terraces, bounded by high banks, is traditionally said to be the site of one of Cromwell’s gun batteries, though what it was to protect is not clear. In fact the site is that of a house and garden built in 1621 by the St John family and left derelict probably in the late C18th or C19th. Plate 3.

{2} The remains are those of a house and garden, apparently built by the St John family which bought the main manor in 1621 and owned it until the early C19th. The house and gardens are shown complete on a map of Woodford dated 1731 (NRO). The main features are two rectangular terraces are cut back into the natural hillside.

<1> Taylor C., 1983, The Archaeology of Gardens, p.11 (checked) (Series). SNN41440.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.113/Site11 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<3> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Photographs). SNN104822.

Record last edited

Jul 29 2009 11:32AM