Thursday 4 April 1912 Western Times
In 1768 these grounds were leased by the Duke of Cornwall, afterwards George IV., to Dr. John Patch, one of the honorary surgeons to the Devon & Exeter Hospital, who built the mansion still standing. In 1793 the grounds were sold by the Duke of Cornwall to Edmund Granger, Esq., a prominent merchant of the city, and later they came into the possession of R. Somers Gard, Esq., M.P. for the city from 1857 to 1865, and the donor of part of the land on which the Museum now stands. His arms, with those of his wife, are in a window in the hall of the house. The last occupant of the house was Miss Outhwaite, a descendant of Mr. Gard. The grounds were purchased from her legatee by the City Council for £10,000. A portion of the grounds belonged to the City prior to Mr. Gard's occupation.
This garden incorporates major historic features - the Roman city wall and bank, and the bank and ditches of William the Conqueror's Castle.
Ro
Rougemont Bedding display
It is the site of one of England's most dramatic 12th-century sieges. Rougemont House was built in 1769 by John Patch, a surgeon at the Devon and Exeter Hospital, on a site that had formerly been part of the moat and defences for the Norman castle. The landscaping and the planting belong to the late 18th century, first by Thomas Patch of Rougemont House (died 1787), developed by his successor, Edmund Granger, on the advice of William Jackson, a local architect, painter and musician. The grounds were bought by the city in 1912. Northernhay House was later demolished and the gardens of Rougemont House were linked to Northernhay Gardens.
Victorian writers called it 'a perfect sylvan retreat', 'a gem set in the heart of Exeter'.
It is the site of one of England's most dramatic 12th-century sieges. Rougemont House was built in 1769 by John Patch, a surgeon at the Devon and Exeter Hospital, on a site that had formerly been part of the moat and defences for the Norman castle. The landscaping and the planting belong to the late 18th century, first by Thomas Patch of Rougemont House (died 1787), developed by his successor, Edmund Granger, on the advice of William Jackson, a local architect, painter and musician. The grounds were bought by the city in 1912. Northernhay House was later demolished and the gardens of Rougemont House were linked to Northernhay Gardens.
Victorian writers called it 'a perfect sylvan retreat', 'a gem set in the heart of Exeter'.
The Gardens Rougemont
Steps have recently been taken to protect and nurture some of the large mature trees, and as with the adjacent Northernhay Gardens the Council continues to focus on improving biodiversity at the site. The garden is close to the city centre and provides an ideal location for lunches and a place for peace and quiet. Access is via Castle Street and the gardens are located behind the Library. The gardens are open from dawn till dusk.
Wikipedia on Rougemont gardens
No comments:
Post a Comment