Retaining Walls And Associated Garden Features On South And East Sides Of Ammerdown House

KILMERSDON CP ST75SW AMMERD0WN PARK 6/l36 Retaining walls and associated garden features on south and east sides of Ammerdown House -

GV II*

Retaining walls, parapets, copings, steps, piers, gates, pool, figures and ornaments of parterre, yew garden and connecting paths. Begun mid C19; much altered and remodelled by Sir Edwin Lutyens after 1901, finished by c1920. On south and east side of house a lawned parterre, ground falls away to south, coursed and squared rubble retaining walls with dressed stone copings; walling to east facing yew garden, similar construction. Paved walk directly adjacent to house. Two sets of stone steps on broad path leading eastward to yew garden; steps semi-circular on plan, of dressed stone with half-round nosings, low flanking piers; one pair capped by enriched stone urns, the other by seated stone mythical winged beasts. To centre of south lawn a sundial on a stone vase pedestal; on east lawn a figure of Mercury on a stone drum pedestal. The eastern part of the parterre is bounded on north side by an elevated pergola on concrete Tuscan columns, which leads from a back door of the house; at its east end a small stone figure, again on a drum pedestal. Path from parterre leads down flight of stone steps, flanked by ball finials, into yew rotunda. Sculptured hedges supported on low coursed and squared rubble retaining walls, some copings. At centre of rotunda a circular stone- lined pool with carved bowl which forms a fountain. Four Classically garbed romantic Coadstone figures on concrete plinths look on. At east side of rotunda a pair of C17 ashlar gate piers with moulded caps and ball finials, wrought-iron gate; these piers frame a view of the adjoining parkland. To north of rotunda a circular rose garden, again enclosed by yew, coursed and squared rubble retaining walls, bronze astralobe on stone vase pier. Broad path on north-south axis leads to Orangery (qv), 3 flights of stone steps, cast-iron gates at exit from rotunda. South end of this path terminates in concealed flights of stone steps which lead down into the park, reconstituted stone figure on drum plinth looks on. On west side of path to Orangery 2 further statues on plinths and sundial with ball finial on a column. Although these items are scattered over quite a wide area they form an important group; therefore they are listed as a single entry rather than as individual items. (Country Life, Feb 16, March 2, and March 9, 1929).

Listing NGR: ST7118252677