Heatherden Hall - Local Heritage List Platform

Location/Address

None recorded

Type

Park or garden

Coherent areas of land designed and/or managed for leisure purposes.

Description

Remains of late nineteenth century gardens at Heatherden Hall, modified in 1932 The complex formal and informal gardens for a mid-late C19 villa which was substantially enlarged in the early C20 when the gardens were re-designed with the addition of a lake, fountain and grotto by the notable landscape firm James Pulham & Sons. The house and gardens were retained as the core of the renowned Pinewood Film Studios, which opened in 1936 as a country club and for film locations. The garden retains much of the historic character and detailed layout established by the 1930s including hedges, sculpture, mature ornamental trees and other planting. Detailed description in Buckinghamshire Gardens Trust report.

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Statement of Significance

Asset type

Remains of late nineteenth century gardens at Heatherden Hall, modified in 1932

Architectural and Artistic Interest

Architectural interest: Charles Reeks (1821/2‐1908) a local architect designed the house c1865, which between 1914‐1928 was re‐modelled and greatly enlarged by architect C. M. Seth‐Ward (1868‐1946). Some architectural features were acquired from other properties, e.g. the Boardroom panelling was designed by architect Harold Peto in 1907 for the Cunard Liner ‘The Mauritania’. The house became the focus of the studios after 1936 but was surrounded to the north and west by studio buildings of considerable scale. South Lodge and gateway are important as part of the late C19 architectural ensemble and as the only surviving one of the three former entrances to the country house. Artistic interest: The late C19 villa gardens were remodelled in their present complex form with both formal and informal features in the early C20 by the notable landscape firm James Pulham & Sons, who were active c1865 ‐ c1939 (Hitching). They constructed a rock garden, grotto, lake, balustrades, urns and sphinxes, featuring their trademark cement Pulhamite rockwork. It is a good surviving example of their work. Much of the layout established by the 1930s and the detailed planting survives including mature trees, clipped yew hedges, herbaceous borders and seasonal bedding.

Group Value

Heatherden Hall has group value with an unusually large number of parks and gardens in the vicinity, reflecting the popularity of this part of south-east Buckinghamshire for small and medium-sized country houses and villa within easy reach of London. Nearby parks and gardens include the adjacent Black Park, Langley Park, Huntsmore Park, Mansfield House, Coppins and Richings Park, as well as early twentieth century gardens in Iver and Fulmer such as White Lodge, Wexham Springs, Iver Lodge, Leslie Lodge, Fulmer Grange, Black Firs and Fulmer Court.

Historic Interest

Lt. Col. W Grant Morden, a Canadian businessman and MP (Brentford & Chiswick 1918 – 1929) owned Heatherden between 1914 ‐1932 when its secluded location yet proximity to London attracted eminent politicians and businessmen. The agreement to form the Irish Free State took place here in 1921. Since Pinewood Studios opened in 1936, it has become the largest film studio in Europe. House and gardens have featured in numerous films, notably Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and various Carry Ons. The James Bond, Star Wars, Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean films, TV and light entertainment shows are also filmed at Pinewood.

Archaeological Interest

The potential for archaeological finds is low to moderate, due to the level of development in the area, however the potential exists particularly for lost garden features.