Woodlands Park
Location/Address
None recorded
Type
Description
Nineteenth century formal garden and park recorded on historic maps at Woodlands Park.
An early–mid-C19 Chiltern villa, gardens, kitchen garden and park, incorporating the linear archaeological feature known as Grims Ditch in the design, both in the park (where it is now filled in) and pleasure ground. The layout survives largely intact, together with long views across the Misbourne valley.
Detailed description in Buckinghamshire Gardens Trust report.
Statement of Significance
Asset type
Nineteenth century formal garden and park recorded on historic maps at Woodlands Park.Architectural and Artistic Interest
Architectural interest: A typical early/mid‐C19 country house ensemble including outbuildings and kitchen garden. The house incorporates Italianate features. Surviving ornamental elements of the C19 landscape design include gateways, the walled kitchen garden and stables and two lodges to drives by the main A413 road. Artistic interest: A country villa, park and garden developed in the C19 and sited to make the most of elevated views over characteristic rolling landscape in a deep valley in the Chilterns. Woodlands is one of several such houses in a similar elevated site on the valley side along the former turnpike road from Aylesbury to London. Notable surviving features include a terrace, kitchen garden, pleasure ground to the north and park, incorporating the ancient Grims Ditch as a feature. Some mature trees date from the late C19 including a large cedar in the wilderness and a mixed area of perimeter planting on the approach from the main road in the valley. Notable specimens include a line of Scots pine, oak, beech and horse chestnut.Group Value
One of a group of Chiltern country villa parks and gardens along the Misbourne valley, the nearest of which is the neighbouring property of Havenfield Lodge.Historic Interest
The property was associated with an important C19 railway engineer, James Edward McConnell, who was responsible for much of the landscape development that can be traced today.Archaeological Interest
There is considerable archaeological potential as the site includes part of the Scheduled Monument of Grim's Ditch. Evidence may survive for lost C19 and C20 garden features, including in the kitchen garden, such as paths, walls, terracing, glasshouses, and for pleasure ground and park features including the remains of a pavilion in the north pleasure ground (now occupied by Three Bears Cottage).Landmark Status
Woodlands Park is prominent in views from the main A413 road, the Chiltern railway line and local footpaths due to its elevated location on the upper slopes above the Misbourne valley.Images and Documents
Date Listed
11 Jan 2023
Last Updated
11 Jan 2023