Walled kitchen garden formerly within the grounds of East Dene house

This is a walled kitchen garden, dating from the early to mid-19th century, originally part of the East Dene estate.

The garden is a roughly long, rectangular area laid out on a south-facing slope, oriented north to south. It is divided into three levels, with stone retaining walls between each level. The walls are approximately 4 metres high at the north end, reducing in height as they descend to the south. The walls are constructed of coursed rubble stone and topped with stepped cobblestone coping.

The upper level is the largest and has a long, curved (apsidal) north end. The curved wall incorporates metal fixings, remnants of supports for fruit trees. A section of wall in the north-west corner, and along the west side of the curved end, has been rebuilt. Several Tudor-arched entrances are located around the perimeter. One former opening leading to pleasure grounds to the west has been lost due to rebuilding, and a blocked opening at the north end would have also provided access to the pleasure grounds. There are two further openings on the east side, both with metal-studded timber doors; one is in the north-east corner and the other provides access to adjacent stores. The east wall has been reinforced with concrete buttresses.

A set of stone steps at the centre of the retaining wall leads to the middle level, where further concrete buttresses have been added to the south side. A vehicular entrance has been inserted in the east wall at this level.

The lower level is accessed via steps in the north-west corner and an entrance in the west end of the south wall. The south-west corner incorporates the external envelope of a former pitched-roof building, including a partially rebuilt gable end with a pointed arch window. A modern metal bridge has been inserted within the garden’s south wall, providing access to former farm buildings.

Note that the remains of an early-19th century glasshouse within the lower level, a late-19th century glasshouse attached to the north-east wall, 19th century stone stores attached to the outside of the north-east wall and the modern metal bridge in the south wall are not considered to be of special architectural or historic interest. However, any future works to these structures or features that could affect the overall character of the walled garden may still require listed building consent.