Revetments to Dam of Former Lake

This is a stone and brick dam, dating back to the mid-18th century, originally built upon a circa 17th-century causeway. It formed part of the landscaping of Lydiard Park. The dam is constructed of stone rubble with brick revetments, topped by a brick crenellation with stone weatherings. The original causeway was approximately 10 metres wide, with packed earth between coursed stone revetments. The south revetment is now buried, while the north revetment remains exposed, standing about 3 metres tall. Around the mid-18th century, the causeway was adapted to create a dam for a lake within the park. The western end of the north revetment was extended or rebuilt in red brick, along with the addition of brick buttresses and a brick crenellation featuring stone weatherings, which may incorporate reused material from the house’s remodelling between 1743 and 1749. A sluice is located off-centre to the east. In 1910, the dam was breached towards its eastern end, leading to the draining of the lake.