 |
 |
|||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
One of the purposes of the Copped Hall Trust, in purchasing Copped Hall, was to restore the mansion, ancillary buildings and gardens according to strict criteria. Considering the appalling state of the place, great progress has been made in this direction.
|
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
MANSION The priority for the mansion and wing is stabilisation and waterproofing. The fire in 1917 and subsequent demolitions have removed almost all the floor and roof structures which previously tied the walls and chimneys together. We have begun to reinstate these missing structures – volume by volume. A number of the chimneys have been stabilised by the reinstatement of the roof structures which have been fitted with a temporary waterproof covering – enabling the structure below to dry out. Reinstatement of floor structures, together with extensive brickwork repair, has stabilised many of the walls. These works have made it possible for the public and specialist groups to be allowed to view parts of the interior. |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
THE ANCILLARY BUILDINGS
These are in two locations : - The stone faced garden structures near the mansion, comprising the temples, winter-garden and glazed corridor. Much clearance work has taken place around these structures, together with the reinstatement of landscaping but no masonry reconstruction has taken place as yet. Two sets of iron gates have been made for the entrances to the enclosed garden immediately south of the mansion. The other set of ancillary buildings is situated north of the mansion and comprises the racquets court, dairy, game larder, stable block and link building. Much restoration has been carried out on these buildings – as well as landscaping. The racquets court is used as our tea room and shop. The stables are able to be viewed by the public - although the game larder awaits works that will enable it to be viewed. |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
THE GARDENS
Much clearance of non-original vegetation has taken place. Lawns have been recreated and specimen trees replanted. The ancient yew tree walk (King Henry’s Walk) was tragically cut down in the 1950s but now has been replanted – although it will obviously taken many years to give the previous effect. Some stonework that was removed in the 1950s has been recovered and will be re-erected in due course. Extensive restoration has taken place in both the Rock Garden and the Long Garden. |
 |
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Long Garden - Herbaceous Border
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
KITCHEN GARDEN
The kitchen garden at Copped Hall was built in the 1740s and is about 4 acres in extent. It is set on a west facing slope with doorways in the middle of each side. It is constructed from brickwork with piers on both sides at regular intervals. The brick courses are laid to follow the slope of the land with the sides of the vertical piers made of cut bricks. The garden was completely overgrown when the Trust acquired it in 1999. A team of volunteers assisted by contractors has transformed the garden. The early 19th century central pond has been cleaned out and one of the late 19th century glasshouses has been restored with two more in the process of reconstruction. The garden is once again producing vegetables, fruit and flowers as a result of massive efforts by a dedicated team of volunteers. |
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
The annual crop of daffodils that dates from before the trust acquired the garden.
|
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
The Pear Trea Walk and its associated beds
Photo: Iris Newberry |
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
| The Eastern Perimeter Bed - flowers for sale Phot. Iris Newberry |
|||||||||||||||||||
