Bowling Green Walls And Gazebo

The Bowling Green walls and gazebo, located at Barley Grove, date mainly from the 18th century or earlier. Situated at the east end of the Castle site, the ground slopes down to the east and south. A bowling green has existed here since the 18th century, if not earlier. The Reverend John Swete noted that the green was temporarily destroyed and a "pleasure-house" was dismantled by Mr. Rolle in 1789 due to inappropriate behavior by its users. In the early 19th century, Barley Grove was "laid out and planted" by Mr. John Yeo, the mayor of Torrington. The walls surrounding the bowling green may date from this period, likely using stones from the old Castle. Little evidence of the original layout remains today. At the southeast corner stands an octagonal gazebo, possibly the pleasure-house mentioned in 1789. Its base is buttressed on the south and east, below the level of the green. The front features rusticated stone with a round-headed opening, while the other sides are roughcast with sunk panels. A sash window in a round-headed panel on the southeast side overlooks the valley. The gazebo has an octagonal slate roof with a ball finial at the apex and an added brick lean-to on the east side.