Building record 0420802034 - CORINTHIAN ARCH, Stowe Avenue, Stowe Landscape Gardens

Summary

Eighteenth century monumental arch, built 1765-1767 as an eye-catcher in the landscape gardens at Stowe.

Protected Status/Designation

  • Listed Building (I) 1212239: THE CORINTHIAN ARCH
  • SHINE: Stowe medieval to post medieval landscape garden, medieval deserted villages of Lamport & Boycott, shrunken village of Daford, also moats, manors and fishponds, ridge and furrow earthworks & cropmarks, and areas of ancient semi natural woodland

Map

Type and Period (4)

  • (Alternate Type) COMMEMORATIVE MONUMENT (18th Century - 1700 AD to 1799 AD)
  • GATE (18th Century - 1700 AD to 1799 AD)
  • RAILINGS (18th Century - 1700 AD to 1799 AD)
  • TRIUMPHAL ARCH (Built 1765-7, 18th Century - 1700 AD to 1799 AD) + Sci.Date

Description

Grade I. Monumental arch 1765 by Thomas Pitt, Lord Camelford. On the S. vista and terminating the Avenue to Buckingham. Ashlar stone, giant corinthian pilasters flanking the central arched opening, balustraded parapet. Low quadrant walls, linked to flanking columns on podia carrying urns. The arch contains two dwelling houses (B14).
Evaluation trial trenching carried out in July 2004 by Northants Archaeology established the full extent of the road to north and south of the arch (Queen's Drive) and found evidence of the former ground surface (B30).
Further trial trenching carried out in November 2005 by Northants Archaeology established the nature of the original ground surface and the construction of the Queen's Drive in the immediate vicinity of the arch. Investigation of the footings of the arch by Gary Marshall of the National Trust resulted in evidence for the original railings and gate mountings (B32).
Dendro-dating obtains a felling date of 1766 for timbers from the arch. Other similar dates also obtained (B34).
Included in English Heritage's Buildings at Risk Registers. In 1999-2001 described as priority A: 'Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric; no solution agreed'. In 2002described as priority D: 'Slow decay; solution agreed but not yet implemented' (B37-39).
Watching brief carried out by Northamptonshire Archaeology in July and August 2006 during ground reduction associated with restoration works, recorded the footings of the existing SW miliary column, remains of a probable 18th or 19th century limestone gravel working-surface beneath the arch, a modern brick-lined well and 2 wooden fence posts. See report for detail (B40).

Sources (28)

  • ---SBC17422 Aerial Photograph: 04/09/76. BCM A2/11/20-22. SP\674376. Yes.
  • ---SBC19956 Aerial Photograph: Northamptonshire County Council. 1990. Field to S of Stowe Park, Stow Avenue and Corinthian Arch. SP679358. Yes.
  • ---SBC20023 Unpublished document: English Heritage. 2001. Stowe Park, Stowe, Buckinghamshire: An Archaeological Survey by English Heritage (Survey Report).
  • <1>SBC9229 Bibliographic reference: C Morris (ed). 1949. The Journeys of Celia Fiennes c1694. pp29-30.
  • <2>SBC14098 Bibliographic reference: SEELEY B 1766 STOWE, A DESCRIPTION OF THE MAGNIFICENT HOUSE & GARDENS (WITH ILLUS) (ARE VARIOUS ED.
  • <3>SBC16278 Bibliographic reference: VERTUE G ET AL; ENGRAVINGS IN SOC OF ANTIQUARIES RED PORTFOLIO P24.
  • <4>SBC7809 Bibliographic reference: LIPSCOMB 3 PP84-108 (FULL DESCRIPTION & ILLUS OF MANSION, APARTMENTS, CONTENTS & GARDENS).
  • <5>SBC14400 Bibliographic reference: SHEAHAN PP304-8 (FULL DESCRIPTION OF HOUSE, GARDEN TEMPLES &C).
  • <6>SBC16094 Bibliographic reference: VCH BUCKS 4 PP229-233 (FULL DESCRIPTION, ILLUS, GROUND PLAN, MANORIAL HISTORY).
  • <7>SBC11805 Bibliographic reference: PEVSNER N 1960 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE PP251-265 & ILLUS (FULL DESC, & ACCOUNT OF WORK SINCE HOUSE BECAME A.
  • <8>SBC10383 Map: Ordnance Survey. 1958. OS 1958 6IN MAP. 1:10,560.
  • <9>SBC16531 Bibliographic reference: WHISTLER L, GIBBON M & CLARKE G 1974 STOWE, A GUIDE TO THE GARDENS (HAS A FULL BIBLIOGRAPHY ON PP37-.
  • <10>SBC2990 Bibliographic reference: CLARKE G 1976 (JULY) SLIDES OF AIR PHOTOS TAKEN JULY 1976 FROM A BALLOON SHOWING FORMER GARDEN FEATU.
  • <11>SBC2991 Bibliographic reference: CLARKE G 1979 (DEC) LETTER RE ICE HOUSES (ON CAS FILE) ALSO OS 1880/5 6-INCH 1:10560 (1ST EDN).
  • <12>SBC8335 Unpublished document: MEEHAN J 1988 STOWE; ELYSIAN FIELDS TREE & LEVEL SURVEY (TYPESCRIPT REPORT & MAP, FILED).
  • <13>SBC16362 Bibliographic reference: WAINWRIGHT A 1989 NATIONAL TRUST ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY: STOWE (COPY, FILED).
  • <14>SBC3681 Bibliographic reference: DoE. 1983. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. p34.
  • <15>SBC9897 Bibliographic reference: NATTES C 1805-9 COLLECTION OF 105 SKETCHES & DRAWINGS OF STOWE (AT BCM).
  • <16>SBC16364 Bibliographic reference: WAINWRIGHT A 1993 REPORTS ON THE STOWE PYRAMID, THE SAXON DEITIES & THE SOUTH FRONT (COPIES, FILED).
  • <17>SBC4634 Bibliographic reference: English Heritage. 1994. REGISTER OF PARKS & GARDENS OF SPECIAL HISTORIC INTEREST IN ENGLAND: BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Part 4.
  • <18>SBC19992 Unpublished document: Angus Wainwright. 1989. The National Trust Archaeological Survey: Stowe. pp33.
  • <30>SBC22445 Unpublished document: Northamptonshire Archaeology. 2004. Archaeological Evaluation at the Corinthian Arch, Stowe Landscape Gardens.
  • <32>SBC22640 Unpublished document: Northamptonshire Archaeology. 2006. Archaeological Evaluation at the Corinthian Arch, Stowe Landscape Gardens.
  • <34>SBC22686 Digital archive: Vernacular Architecture Group. 2000 onwards. Vernacular Architecture Group: Dendrochronology Database. VA vol 35, p97.
  • <37>SBC19679 Bibliographic reference: English Heritage. 1999. English Heritage Register of Buildings at Risk 1999. p54.
  • <38>SBC19680 Bibliographic reference: English Heritage. 2001. English Heritage Register of Buildings at Risk 2001. p57.
  • <39>SBC19681 Bibliographic reference: English Heritage. 2002. English Heritage Register of Buildings at Risk 2002. p55.
  • <40>SBC22825 Unpublished document: Northamptonshire Archaeology. 2006. Archaeological Watching Brief at the Corinthian Arch, Stowe Landscape Gardens.

Location

Grid reference SP 68060 36300 (point)
Civil Parish STOWE, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (3)

Related Events/Activities (4)

  • Event - Intervention: Evaluation trial trenching (EBC16615)
  • Event - Intervention: Evaluation trial trenching (EBC16689)
  • Event - Survey: Site visit (EBC13583)
  • Event - Intervention: Watching brief (EBC16764)

Record last edited

Jul 30 2024 3:26PM

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