Monument record 1015 - Holdenby Parke (Post Medieval Deer Park)

Deer park laid out at Holdenby House between 1580 and 1587. Almost the whole park boundary still exists as a hedgeline, with a ditch up to 4 metres wide and 1 metre deep. The interior of the park is almost entirely covered with earlier ridge and furrow. The park was probably abandoned after 1651 and certainly by 1762. [Other parklands present, with different spatial extents: post dates Mon 2835, predates Mon 8057.]

{1}{2} not extant in 1580, but shown in 1587.

{3} Part of the Duke of Marlborough's estate in 1762. Parkland abandoned by then.

{4} Plan of the palace and its grounds.

{5} In 1791 no house, park or owner is shown.

{14} Deer park lay to the south and south-east of Holdenby House. Created 1580-1587 by Sir Christopher Hatton as part of his work at Holdenby, which included the building of Holdenby House, the laying out of its gardens, and the removal and rebuilding of Holdenby village. It covered some 250 hectares, almost one third of the entire parish. The deer park probably fell into disuse after 1651, when the house was demolished, and had certainly been abandoned by 1762.
Almost the whole park boundary still exists as a hedge line, with a ditch in place 4 metres wide and 1 metre deep. The interior of the parkland is almost entirely covered by ridge and furrow of the pre-1580 open field system. The exception is a long, narrow strip of land on the west side which was called Fowlham Meadow in 1587.

{16} Old enclosure, entirely the property of Visc Clifden. Survey of 1587 says there were 606 acres in the park. Site of manor house gardens etc. In 1607 there were 499 acres in The Park exclusive of lawn meadow (of 135 acres); the schedule gives name, quantity and estimated rent per acre. It was sold to the king in 1607-8. In 1650 it was sold to Adam Baynes, captain of the Parliamentary Army. The land was restored to The Crown at restoration, but James II sold it to Lewis Divas prior to 1673.

{19} Discusses earthworks located within the parkland beyond the eastern end of The Green, possibly unrecorded landscaping by Hatton. Sketch plan.

<1> Thomas Treswell, 1580, The Survey of The Manor of Holdenby in The County of Northampton, made in 1580 (Finch-Hatton), (unchecked) (Map). SNN18155.

<2> Thomas Treswell, 1587, The Survey of The Manor of Holdenby made in 1587 (Finch-Hatton), (unchecked) (Map). SNN18147.

<3> 1762, Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN46176.

<4> 1863, Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN46175.

<5> BURT J., Notes on Holdenby, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN47795.

<6> EVANS J.; BRITTON J., 1729, The Beauties of England & Wales, p.151 (unchecked) (Engraving). SNN59365.

<7> 1885, Map 4800, (unchecked) (Map). SNN54936.

<8> 1912, Country Life (1912), p.528-38 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN54935.

<9> 1933, Architectural Review, pl.15 (unchecked) (Series). SNN59357.

<10> Binney M.; Hills A., 1979, Elysian Gardens, p.14 (unchecked) (Article). SNN42578.

<11> 1979, Country Life (1979), 1286-89; 1398-1401; 2144 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN18174.

<12> Taylor C., 1983, The Archaeology of Gardens, p.43-45 (unchecked) (Series). SNN41440.

<14> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.109 Site 5 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<15> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.525 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<16> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.194 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<17> Prentice J., 2006, A Desk-Based Assessment at Holdenby House, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Report). SNN105799.

<18> Mowl T.; Hickman C., 2008, The Historic Gardens of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN106082.

<19> Welsh, T., 2012, Earthworks at Coneybury Hill, Holdenby, (unchecked) (Note). SNN108246.

<20> English Heritage, 1991, Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England (1991, Northamptonshire), Part 30 (Report). SNN1167.

<21> Beresford, M.W. & St. Joseph, J.K.S., 1958, Medieval England: An Aerial Survey, p. 60 (Book). SNN77361.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 8:10PM