Building record 426/0/2 - Probable C18th Cascade

{3} Part of structure of the dam of the large lake to its north; constructed circa 1760.

{4} Lake created by a weir with bridge over; constructed pre 1746 for Sir Thomas Cave.

{5} Late C18th bridge over a weir.

{6} The Cascade Bridge is situated immediately south of the cascade which is the principal outfall from the lake to the north. Sir Thomas Cave had inherited the estate in 1734 and was responsible for thinning some of the formal avenues, creating the Serpentine to the west c.1746 and forming the lake by damming the River Avon. As part of this improvement it is probable that the Cascade Bridge was constructed with the cascade c.1740.
Immediately north of the bridge, the lake flows out and down a stepped weir or cascade to the stream over which the bridge spans. Splayed brick abutments either side of the weir are built up to the north side of the bridge.
To either side of the weir are splayed brick panels constructed of an engineering brick facing to a brick core. The brickwork is in poor condition, with some collapse into the water.
The construction of the weir is not visible beneath the water, but is likely to be stone, or perhaps a more modern concrete replacement of the original.
Plans and photographs.

<1> Nichols J., 1807, The History and Antiquities of The County of Leicester (v.4 pt.1 The Hundred of Guthlaston), p.350 (unchecked) (Series). SNN42842.

<2> RUSSELL P., 1955, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Leicestershire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN42825.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP57NE9 (part checked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> English Heritage, 1994, Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England (1994, Leicestershire), Stanford Hall Park (checked) (Report). SNN42820.

<5> English Heritage, 2000, Listed Buildings Online, LBUID 191494 (unchecked) (Database). SNN105526.

<6> Donald Insall Associates, 2010, Historic Building Recording for The Cascade Bridge, Stanford Hall, Stanford-On-Avon, Leicestershire, (checked) (Report). SNN107117.

Record last edited

Sep 9 2014 3:22PM