Monument record 1694/3/5 - Post-medieval gardens, Abington Abbey

Land to the west of the Abbey was known as Saffron Close in the late 17th century. This was replaced in the 18th century by formal gardens with ha-ha and possible bowling green.

{1} Enclosure to west of manorhouse marked "Saffron Close"; replaced by formal gardens by mid C18th. The southern boundary of the manor is shown along the road to Northampton with a probable elaborate formal gateway.

{2} Earlier formality of gardens around house has been replaced by informal lay-out; lawns bounded by belts of trees to west of house. The southern boundary to country house still shown at this date.

{3} Shows detail of southern forecourt layout; centrepiece formed by sundial on pedestal; formal gardens to west of house also shown but detail difficult to determine. Southern boundary detail such as ha ha & ironwork gates.

{4} Shows ha ha but formal forecourt gone.

{5} Shows formal lay-out of gardens around house; forecourt with at least 3 other walled enclosures to west of house; central western court appears to have as its centrepiece a small circular pond; south-western court appears to have small & possibly ironwork structure on its southern boundary with ha-ha; north-western court also appears to have ironwork in form of gate leading to northwards-running avenue; formality appears to have gone by 1798. An annotation on the map also appears to indicate presence of a bowling green on west side of the house.

{6}Lease mentions Abbey gardens & shrubberies & pleasure grounds.

{7} In mid C18th setting of house was improved; formal entrance court laid out to south; it was bounded by high side walls & ha ha along road which was crossed by bridge leading to elaborate iron gates.

{8} Southern boundary may still survive at this time though appears to have been heavily tree-planted as informal belt around lawns;

{10} Low earthwork scarp possibly marks former southern boundary to manor; another possiblity is that it is associated with an east-west running road. Three posthole-type features are visible in parchmarks on the crest of a low scarp. Traces of stone found within 2 of them; possible location of former gates or fence; also possible narrow wall showing in parchmarks at a right angle to postholes.

<1> Grant V., 1671, Map of Abington (NRO Map 4524) (Map). SNN41646.

<2> 1798, Abington Map (NRO 470) (Map). SNN41653.

<3> Cole J., 1750, Abington Abbey, (checked) (Print). SNN45598.

<4> Clarke G., 1850, Abington Abbey, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN47204.

<5> 1742, Abington Estate Map, (checked) (Map). SNN41652.

<6> 1836, NRO T(A)44, (unchecked) (Document). SNN45578.

<7> Heward J.; Taylor R., 1996, The Country Houses of Northamptonshire, p.48 (checked) (Book). SNN41757.

<8> Bryant A., 1827, Map of The County of Northampton, (checked) (Map). SNN2733.

<9> Ordnance Survey, 1887, First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 Inch Mapping Series (45.06), (unchecked) (Map). SNN58994.

<10> Cadman G.E., 1994, SMR Report Form (Report). SNN50051.

Record last edited

Apr 28 2025 12:36PM