The Ashdell Campaign | "Ashdell is fine example of Victorian Woodland Garden"

"ASHDELL IS FINE EXAMPLE OF VICTORIAN WOODLAND GARDEN"

Ashdell is one of around 40 gardens featured in "Sheffield's Historic Parks and Gardens" (UDP Policy Background Paper No.4), published by Sheffield City Council in 1997.

Research was carried out by Joan Sewell, from the University of Sheffield's Department of Landscape

The full text of the section on Ashdell is shown below.

Ashdell

Site plan

"Ashdell was built in 1850 with additions circa 1900 and late 20th century alterations. It is now used as a student hall of residence by the University of Sheffield. The house (1) is Listed Grade II, together with the stable yard wall.

"The stone boundary wall (2) of coarse gritstone with moulded flat copings and intermediate piers are intact and also Listed, as are the gate piers at the entrance (3) which have quadrant walls and a setted crossover. The tarmac drive divides to the right leading to the setted service court (4), enclosed by 3 metre coursed stone walls with monolithic gate piers (5). The coach house (6) is now student accommodation, but some service buildings have been demolished and the site of these and the kitchen garden are now lawned (7).

"The boundary walls to either side of the entrance are backed by banks (8) planted with trees and shrubs, mainly evergreens, to give privacy from the road, and the drive is lined with evergreen shrubs (9). The left-hand branch leads to the main entrance to the house, overlooking a sunken lawn (10) with a specimen beech tree. An ashlar wall with gateway (11) flanks the house and separates the front and rear gardens. There is a terrace (12) on the south side of the house, with the base of a missing gas lamp.

"Below is the most interesting part of the garden, a wooded dell (13) in a former quarry. Tarmac paths and stone steps edged with gritstone boulders, wind down from the terrace to a lawn, with rock work and evergreen shrubs (laurel, rhododendron, yew, holly) and fine specimen trees (oak, beech, monkey puzzle). The shrubbery is overgrown with some gaps but overall it is a fine example of a Victorian woodland garden using the former quarry to great effect, with dramatic views. Condition and maintenance are reasonably good and the layout is intact, with many original features remaining."

Most Relevant UDP Policies

BE15, BE16, BE17, BE19, BE21, GE11, GE15, H14

[Back to The Ashdell Campaign homepage]