Retaining Wall, Terrace and Balustrade on All Sides of the Dower House is a Grade II listed building in the South Gloucestershire local planning authority area, England. First listed on 26 June 1984. A C16-C17 Retaining wall, terrace, balustrade.

Retaining Wall, Terrace and Balustrade on All Sides of the Dower House

WRENN ID
peeling-string-spring
Grade
II
Local Planning Authority
South Gloucestershire
Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke MP: Claire Hazelgrove (Lab)
Country
England
Date first listed
26 June 1984
Type
Retaining wall, terrace, balustrade
Address
Retaining Wall, Terrace and Balustrade on All Sides of the Dower House, Stoke Gifford
OS grid reference
ST 622 772
Coordinates
51.4928, -2.54508
Source
Historic England listing

Also on this page: flood risk · radon risk · weather exposure · detailed attributes ↓

Description

The retaining wall, terrace, and balustrade surrounding the Dower House date from the 16th to 17th centuries, with extensions made in the 19th century. Constructed from rubble and freestone, the heavily battered wall supports an artificial platform that rises about 6 metres. At the top, there is a wide moulded handrail resting on square balusters, which feature moulded plinths and recessed panels, as well as strapwork in the spandrels. The heavier newels have similar decorative details and ball finials. The structure runs in front of the house from the southwest corner and extends 100 metres to the east, where it connects to the orangery. However, the balustrade is missing at the southwest end and for about half of the eastern terrace. A similar wall continues in a large 19th-century extension 30 metres to the west, which then returns 100 metres northwards. This section is also battered and made of similar materials, featuring arrow slits and battlements. The buildings supported by this wall are not included in the listing.

Local climate

Retaining Wall, Terrace and Balustrade on All Sides of the Dower House receives an average of 840 mm of rain a year. This makes it wetter than 56% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is greater than that of 60% of listed buildings.

It experiences an average of 34 freeze-thaw cycles a year, fewer than 52% of listed buildings. Of these, 14 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.

Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.

More on this building

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