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Summary

Remains of 19th century gardens and parkland surrounding Knowle House.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• GARDEN (XIX - 1801 AD (Between) to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

Comparison with modern mapping shows that the gardens once extended further to the west and to the south but have now been built upon (Knowle Drive and Knowle Gardens).

Devon Gardens Trust, 1999, Devon Local Register, 85 (Un-published). SDV170167.

Devon Gardens Trust, 2013, Devon Gazetteer of Parks and Gardens of Local Interest, 80 (Reg/Local list of Historic Parks and Gdns). SDV354335.

Clark, J., 2013, The Knowle (Un-published). SDV357878.

The Knowle was once one of the most famous houses in Sidmouth but massive rebuilding and conversion in 1882 into a hotel diminished its architectural qualities, leaving little of its early features. The C20 office building for East Devon District Council is rather nondescript and the council car parks are an intrusion into the parkland landscape. A substantial area of the original parkland remains, containing some magnificent trees particular specimens of cedar, Wellingtonia and Monterey pine. The
parkland of The Knowle forms part of the attractive approach to Sidmouth, providing an important contribution to the overall historic character and landscape of the town. The original Lodge still marks the entrance to The Knowle and some garden structures - the Gothic arch, the footings of the grotto and the flint Gothic summer house survive in the gardens of the C20 houses in Knowle Drive.

Ordnance Survey, 2015, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV357601.

CgMs Consulting, 2016, The Knowle, Sidmouth. Heritage & Archaeology Statement (Report - Assessment). SDV364493.

Report assessing the potential impacts of the proposed demolition and redevelopment on the site of the East Devon District Council Offices. The main interest of the site is considered to be its gardens and parkland. The grounds are in public ownership and consequently have great communal value. They also have aesthetic value in their design and historic value, in particular being representative of the introduction of zoos and private collections in the Victorian period.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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