Monument record 0420807001 - Ha Ha, Grecian Valley, Stowe Landscape Gardens: gateway
Summary
Eighteenth century gateway to the Grecian Valley located in geophysical survey and excavation
Protected Status/Designation
- 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 (1)
- GATE (18th Century - 1700 AD to 1799 AD)
Description
An archaeological investigation was carried out to locate the gateway in the NW corner of the Grecian Valley to allow access across the ha-ha and into the park. The Grecian Valley was added to the main garden scheme in 1746-7 when Capability Brown was head gardener. The north end of the valley was designed as a large curving bastion and the intention was to place a triumphal arch at its centre. The gateway was part of the original design and is noted as being removed along with the curved bastion in 1827. At this location, two fragments of iron fence were recovered and excavation trenches revealed layers of small pebbles representing the former path. (1)
Sources (3)
- ---SBC20023 Unpublished document: English Heritage. 2001. Stowe Park, Stowe, Buckinghamshire: An Archaeological Survey by English Heritage (Survey Report).
- <1>SBC19537 Unpublished document: Oliver Jessop (National Trust). 2001. Paddock Course Walk: Report of the Investigations to Locate a Former Gateway.
- <2>SBC19717 Article in serial: CBA South Midlands Group. 1995. South Midlands Archaeology 25, 1995. No 25. pp33-36.
Location
| Grid reference | SP 6775 3817 (point) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | STOWE, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (2)
Related Events/Activities (1)
- Event - Intervention: Archaeological investigation to locate the former gateway at the NW end of the Grecian Valley (EBC16217)
Record last edited
Aug 25 2009 11:44AM
