History in Structure

Upper Terrace Wall at Whitehurst Gardens

A Grade II Listed Building in Chirk, Wrexham

We don't have any photos of this building yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?

Upload Photo »

Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

Coordinates

Latitude: 52.953 / 52°57'10"N

Longitude: -3.061 / 3°3'39"W

OS Eastings: 328811

OS Northings: 340045

OS Grid: SJ288400

Mapcode National: GBR 73.KT3V

Mapcode Global: WH78C.Y1JG

Plus Code: 9C4RXW3Q+6H

Entry Name: Upper Terrace Wall at Whitehurst Gardens

Listing Date: 29 July 1998

Last Amended: 29 July 1998

Grade: II

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 20224

Building Class: Gardens, Parks and Urban Spaces

ID on this website: 300020224

Location: Whitehurst gardens adjoin the Holyhead Road c150m NW of the roundabout at the N end of Chirk.

County: Wrexham

Town: Wrexham

Community: Chirk (Y Waun)

Community: Chirk

Locality: Whitehurst

Traditional County: Denbighshire

Tagged with: Wall

Find accommodation in
Chirk

History

Whitehurst Gardens, also known variously as Black Park Garden and Chirk Castle Garden, were laid out c1651 at considerable personal expense by Sir Thomas Myddleton II (1586-1666) as a pleasure garden for himself and in which to entertain important visitors passing along the Holyhead Road. The walled area extended to 12 acres. Major-General James Berry stayed in 1656, and later circuit judges found it an amenable place to stay. The Duke of Beaufort, Lord President of Wales made a halt here when passing through Wales in 1684, when his equerry describes the 'Admiral Walled GARDEN of Trees, Plants, Flowers and Herbs of the greatest rarity, as well forreigne as of Great Britain, Orrenge and Lemon Trees, the sensitive Plant, &c, where, in a Banquetting-house, a Collation of choise Fruit and Wines was lodged by the sayd Sr RICHARD MYDDLETON to entertein his Grace in this his flourishing Plantation'. Some fruits and vegetables were grown (a fig tree purchased in 1653, and 'sparrowgrasse' [asparagus] in 1658). The gardens also contained deer and fishponds as well as various garden buildings including summerhouses for which weathercocks were bought in 1653. The gardens are illustrated on the Badeslade and Toms engraving of Chirk Castle of 1723, before they were extended to the N and W in 1765. They were gradually compromised from 1906, including the building of 20 houses in the eastern sector for Black Park Colliery in 1931, but the walls, terraces and the impressively large mount survive.

Exterior

On of three intermediate terrace walls within the gardens, against which fruit was grown, are sinuous (not concentric as in the Badeslade/Toms print), the upper one partly of stone with a later underground heating system. A door from a well in the upper terrace has a a reset keystone over, inscribed TM 1651.

Reasons for Listing

Included as an important and early pleasure garden constructed during the Civil War by a strong supporter of the Parliamentarian cause, and of which the layout is still distinctly discernable. Of group value with the other terrace walls and the garden buildings within the enclosing walls of the gardens.

External Links

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

Other nearby listed buildings

  • II Lowest Terrace Wall at Whitehurst Gardens
    Whitehurst Gardens adjoin the Holyhead Road c150m NW of the roundabout at the N end of Chirk.
  • II Second Terrace Wall at Whitehurst Gardens
    Whitehurst gardens adjon the Holyhead Road c1560m NW of the roundabout at the N end of Chirk.
  • II* Queen Anne's Cottage
    The cottage is located within Whitehurst Gardens, which are accessed directly from the A5 200m N of the roundabout at the N end of Chirk.
  • II Whitehurst House
    Whitehurst Gardens are on the NE side of the Holyhead Road, approximately 200m from the roundabout connection with the Chirk Road. The house stands within the NW corner of Whitehurst Gardens, with its
  • II Drumore
    The house stands back and lower than the road, opposite Whitehurst Gardens and approximately 200m N of the roundabout at the N end of Chirk.
  • II Whitehurst Garden Gatepiers with Gates and perimeter Garden Wall
    Whitehurst gardens adjoin the Holyhead Road c150m NW of the roundabout at the N end of Chirk. Two points of access, the upper to Whitehurst House.
  • II Whitehouse Bridge
    Carries lane over Llangollen Canal between Pentre and Bryn-yr-Eos: half way between N portal of Whitehouse Tunnel and B5605
  • II Smithy at Whitehurst Gate and House attached
    The building stands on the NW angle of the road junction with the B5605 Newbridge Road

BritishListedBuildings.co.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact BritishListedBuildings.co.uk for any queries related to any individual listed building, planning permission related to listed buildings or the listing process itself.

British Listed Buildings is a Good Stuff website.