Landscape record 0446503000 - WEST WYCOMBE PARK (G137)

Grade I. C18 Landscape Park. Development probably in 3 stages. Between 1735-39 the lake & cascade formed probably by M L Jolivet. 2nd stage, from 1770, directed by Nicholas Revett & Thomas Cook. Repton called in c.1794-95 & made 3 visits. Later C20 restoration includes rebuilding of Venus's parlour (more detail)(B10).
Detailed topographic survey and background research by English Heritage of the pleasure grounds, wider parkland and of monuments on Church Hill provides much additional information about the park, gardens, garden buildings and other structures. See reports and plans for detail (B12-14).
Detailed discussion of development of gardens and parkland in 18th century under Sir Francis Dashwood with particular emphasis on the symbolism and placing of the built strructures (B17).
Use of lake for mock sea battles in 18th century (B18).
Short article on the symbolism of the original siting of statues of Minerva and Fame, and the temples of Venus and of Daphne at West Wycombe Park (B19).
Landscape management plan (B20).
Eighteenth-century follies with subterranean chambers at West Wycombe Park (B21).
Article suggesting that the iconography adopted in the 18th century at Stowe based on the judgement of Hercules choosing between vice and virtue, was subverted at West Wycombe by virtue being represented in dubious or ambiguous ways and an emphasis on the enjoyment of sensuous pleasures (B22).
Discussion of possibility that Brown involved in 1753 (B23).
Humphry Repton consulted in 1794-9 by Sir John Dashwood-King on improvements to the park. He made at least four visits and the Red Book presumably dates from 1795, but is now lost. Repton's proposals apparently included a new carriage drive round the lake and approaching the house from the south, thinning and opening up overgrown parkland planting, removing statuary and the steeple of St Crispin's and annimating the lake surface with submerged rocks. The only proposals carried out were the removal of the spire and statues (recently reinstated) and thinning the parkland planting (B25).