St Katharine's, Parmoor
Location/Address
None recorded
Type
Description
Remains of late nineteenth and early twentieth century gardens and grounds of Parmoor House.
A country house, gardens and park developed in the late C19/early C20 for the Cripps family of politicians on a site known to have been occupied since the C14. The property is associated with several influential C20 figures. The designed landscape makes good use of the Chiltern setting and survives largely intact.
Detailed description in Buckinghamshire Gardens Trust report.
Statement of Significance
Asset type
Remains of late nineteenth and early twentieth century gardens and grounds of Parmoor House.Architectural and Artistic Interest
Architectural interest: A typical late C19/early C20 country house ensemble including mansion, gateway and stables. The house incorporates evidence of earlier features. The C19 walled kitchen garden and associated structures form a group of service structures. Artistic interest: A late Victorian country house, park and garden developed in the late C19 and sited to make the most of elevated views over characteristic rolling landscape in a remote corner of the Chilterns. Notable surviving features include the remains of a water garden, a ha‐ha terrace, kitchen garden, and tree planting which can be seen to date from the late C19 ownership as well as many fine mature trees including a large cedar near the house and a mixed avenue on the approach from Frieth with notable specimens including Turkey oak, beech and sweet chestnut.Historic Interest
The property has been associated with important early C20 political figures and social reformers – Charles Alfred Cripps, who was responsible for much of the landscape development that can be traced today; his son Stafford Cripps; and Beatrice and Sidney Webb and their Fabian circle. It was later associated with King Zog of Albania who was resident with his retinue during World War II, and later with Lady Sue Ryder.Archaeological Interest
There is archaeological potential as the site has been continuously occupied as a manor and country house since the C14.Images and Documents
Date Listed
11 Jan 2023
Last Updated
11 Jan 2023