Terrace Wall And Steps To West Terrace And To Croquet Lawn Of Charlecote Park

The terrace wall and steps to the west terrace and croquet lawn of Charlecote Park were built in 1858 by John Gibson for Henry Spencer Lucy. Constructed from ashlar on brick, the terrace wall and parapet extend around the west terrace and include steps leading down to the River Avon. The wall runs approximately 41 meters along the west side of the terrace, featuring a central projection of about 15.5 meters with steps down to the river, and has multi-angular projections at each end. It continues for approximately 25.5 meters along the north side of the terrace and wraps around the west and north sides of the croquet lawn, which is roughly 30 meters square.

On the south side of the west terrace, the wall ends with steps leading up to the house and extends about 30 meters south along the lawn to the west of the south wing, incorporating a return to the south end that includes a wooden gate. The stone-coped brick wall features a torus moulding and quoins at the projections, while the parapet has strapwork panels between piers with fluting, continuing to both sides of the river steps. The projections include stone benches, and there are 21 urns of varied design placed at intervals along the parapet and at each end of the river steps, most of which feature a lattice pattern. The gate at the south end has the same strapwork pattern as the parapet. The terrace is aligned with the west range of the house, while the double avenue across the river follows the axis of the 16th-century house and park.