Watlington House Project – Research and design ideas

This has involved research to establish any previous garden design structure. This has proved limited as the earliest maps are only indicative of a simple cross of paths with no reference to whether the quadrant areas indicated are grass or planting. It has therefore been felt necessary to carry out further research to include the wider family and their homes to try and establish any examples of their gardens or interests and capabilities. This has unearthed a strong botanical and apothecary link. John Watlington, the uncle of Samuel Watlington, the builder of Watlington House was a reputable botanist and apothecary and was a friend and botanical advisor to Elias Ashmole, and also knew Thomas Johnson the celebrated botanist who came to visit him in Reading. He was also acknowledged to have discovered a whole list of species (which we have) in and around the area of Reading, and it would be fitting to include some of these in the garden at Watlington House. Two of Samuel’s own sons, became apothecary apprentices thereby continuing the botanical theme and one later was purported to have became a surgeon.

One particular inspiration for part of the garden is the Watlington coat of arms which bears a saltaire cross, similar to a stone carving thought to have been originally from Reading Abbey now incorporated into the building fabric. This could be used as a motif for a knot garden using suitable herbs which would act as a visual link to the Medieval part of the house.

The rest of the garden will incorporate a simple structure of gravel paths, low hedges, topiary, sitting and contemplative areas to give a sense of balance to frame the house. Stilt hedging will help to disguise the parking area when viewed from the house, and columns of hornbeam hedging with timber pergola elevations will help to disguise the rather unsightly ‘Garden Hall’ which although incongruous, does at the moment raise revenue for the house and give members of the community a chance to enjoy a unique space.

Simultaneous to the research which includes the reading of wills, family trees, references to other leading people of the area, maps, aerial photos from during the war, are being scrutinised for any glimpse of design feature in the garden.

Before construction is to commence, the suitability of a non-invasive archaeological survey, possibly a magnetometry survey is to be looked in to. Berkshire Archaeological Service have been informed and will be advised of any excavation prior to the commencement of any landscaping.

Most of the trees on site have preservation orders, these were mostly planted by the Womens’s Institute during the restoration of the house in the 1930s, so they are not original to the design concept of the house. A survey of all existing plants, bulbs and suitability for re-use will be made before commencement of the project.

The design for the garden is still being prepared. Existing buildings within the curtilage of the house are dictating to a certain extent what happens in the short term, but it is hoped that in the future the character and the beauty of the house can be enjoyed without obtrusive clutter and that a purpose built garden building in the style of an orangery or similar vernacular building which can serve the community and augment Watlington House can be planned in the future.

The first priority is to design and then implement a garden which will be sustainable and have the support of many people whether local or from the Berkshire Gardens Trust. As an initial proposal a simple Conservation Management Plan to help to ascertain the opportunities and constraints, maintenance and waste issues, and funding, of which an initial sum has already been gifted will be produced.

The research will be on-going and be added to the CMP so that it can be updated as a living document to involve people in a positive way where they are contributing in the future and longevity of Watlington House and its garden.

Link back to the project:

Watlington House Project