Description

TQ 53 37 SPELDHURST GROOMBRIDGE HILL (off east
side), OLD GROOMBRIDGE
16/506 Garden walls and features of
the terraced garden (including
20.10.54 Ivy Cottage) approx 30m north
of Groombridge Place
GV I

Formal garden north of Groombridge Place was probably laid out in the second
half of the C17 and has had several changes since. Garden is terraced and
enclosed on 3 sides (north, west and east) by tall walls of various builds.
Lowest section the west wall and a lot of the east wall is brick. Rest of the
west wall is sandstone, the lower section is coursed whilst the upper section
is more rubbley. The top end wall (north) of large blocks of sandstone, part
topped with brick, and has large stone buttresses inside. It includes a
central gateway with square section piers and ball finials. The terraces are
revetted with sandstone and paths rise in a series of sandstone steps.
Gardens include various garden features like stone urns and notably, on the
top terrace, a probably C18 fountain and a sundial with sandstone baluster-
like stem and a brass dial inscribed with the name of Nathaniel Witham of
London with the date 1716.
Ivy Cottage on the west side has been made by enlarging a late C17 garden
pavilion. it is now a 2-room plan cottage facing west, C19 in date, renovated
circa 1980. Extension is the southern room; Flemish bond brick with
decorative burnt headers on the front, the rest timber-framed and clad with
peg-tile. 2-window front of various C19 and C20 casements and doorway to left
contains possibly C18 2-panel door. Left section is the original pavilion
it was square in plan, 2 storeys high, built of Flemish bond red brick with
decorative burnt headers, and has a peg-tile roof. It has a chamfered plinth
and flat band at first floor level.

These garden features play an important role in the visual appearance of
Groombridge Place (q.v.).

Listing NGR: TQ5328437681

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17530364

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)