Site Event/Activity record ECH5551 - West House Research and Recording

Research carried out on the historic landscape and gardens of West House Built 1753, in grounds of 20 acres descending to the S bank of the river West House was built on the steep ridge above the rive Dane, commanding ´ a view of the subjacent valley, and fertile field which gradually decline to the southern bank of the Dane. No parkland create, gardens developed as pleasure grounds to the S, E and NE into the ´garden and rockery which drew admiring comments from passing travellers´7 , and are described in detail in an 1865 article. The article descibes the kitchen garden with its vinery and peachhouse and the flower garden in front of the house. A large mound of eath and rockwork entends the whole length of the pleasure ground, desinged to exclude the view of the town adjacent. After the owner´s death in 1881, West House ceased to be a private house and was owned and occupied by a number of institutions. In 1992 a Church was built in the grounds of the former kitchen garden. In 1998 West House was converted into luxury apartments. Are of ground of West House redeveloped for housing.