Monument record 0524501000 - VENUS'S PARLOUR, WEST WYCOMBE PARK
Summary
Mid-eighteenth century garden alcove and screen, known as Venus's Parlour, possibly originally a post-medieval ice-house.
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Map
Type and Period (3)
- ICEHOUSE? (Post-Medieval - 1540 AD? to 1798 AD?)
- (Alternate Type) GARDEN FEATURE (18th Century - 1700 AD to 1799 AD)
- GROTTO (Restored 1982, 18th Century - 1700 AD to 1799 AD)
Description
WITHIN MOUND BUILT FOR TEMPLE OF VENUS. N SIDE, BASE OF MOUND LOW SCREEN ENTRANCE TO SMALL CHAMBER FLOORED IN BRICK. IN ITSELF THIS COULD NOT HAVE SERVED AS AN ICEHOUSE BUT COULD HAVE BEEN ENTRANCE TO INNER CHAMBER NOW SEALED OFF (B1).
At the foot of the mount on the south side is the Venus Parlour. The semi-circular flint and brick façade is also a partial reconstruction by Quinlan Terry based on Jolivet's surviving drawings. The central oval niche is probably original. Records of work on the steps and plinths in front of this 'cave' place its construction in 1748-9 (B3-5).
Sources (4)
- <1>SBC3387 Verbal communication: DASHWOOD SIR FRANCIS TO PIKE A R & PIKE A R JULY 1983 FIELD VISIT.
- <3>SBC19995 Unpublished document: English Heritage. 2001. West Wycombe Park Buckinghamshire - Part 1: Site History and Introduction. 1. pp20, 29, 36, Figs 4, 5, Plates 3, 6, 10.
- <4>SBC19996 Unpublished document: English Heritage. 2001. West Wycombe Park Buckinghamshire - Part II: The Earthwork Surveys. 2. pp56, 93, 98, 102 Fig 14, Plate 19.
- <5>SBC19998 Graphic material: English Heritage. 2000. West Wycombe Park: detailed plans of Pleasure Grounds, Wider Parkland and Church Hill. 1:2500. Fig 12.
Location
| Grid reference | SU 83027 94539 (point) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | HIGH WYCOMBE, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (2)
- Event - Survey: Detailed topographic survey and background research: West Wycombe Park Survey (Ref: 1346157) (EBC16386)
- Event - Survey: Site visit, West Wycombe Park (EBC18927)
Record last edited
Apr 8 2026 2:22PM
