Monument record 130/15/1 - Brackley Park Boundary

{1} At the northern and southern ends of the park, which is mostly mown grass, are small patches of scrub woodland between iron fences on the park side and the boundary walls of the property.
The roadside wall of Brackley park has an interesting decorative feature on its outside which faces the Manor House and the main road. Narrow recesses like blind arrow slits sit just above the present pavement level at regular intervals along its length. The features are of moulded stone (ironstone?), and above each the coping rises above the general level of the wall top. There are three entrances to the park through this wall. What may be the original footgate entrance is marked by tall stone gate piers of square section. Correspondence of 07/01/1956 refers to the recently erected gate and collection box. It may have been re-erected or replaced an earlier entrance. The present footgate does not correspond with any entrances to the Manor House or its boundary walls. This entrance also lacks a gate, but is blocked by a wooden fence erected on the inside. The small collection box is set into the southern pillar (has been stoved in). There are two wider openings through the roadside wall which permit access.
On the eastern boundary of Brackley Park the ground rises up to form a terrace. Just outside this boundary runs a right of way called The Croft. The terrace would have ensured the privacy of the grounds while enabling the owners to look over the footpath which is abut 3m below the top of the terrace, so people using the path are not seen. There is a break in the line of the retaining wall on the footpath inside of the terrace which may indicate two phases of construction.

<1> The National Trust, 1987, Brackley Park, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Survey, p.3 (checked) (Report). SNN108200.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1811-9, First Edition Ordnance Survey Surveyors Drawings, Sheet 229 (Map). SNN104902.

<3> Ballinger J.; Foard G., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Brackley, (unchecked) (Report). SNN106655.

Record last edited

Oct 23 2024 10:30AM