Monument record MLI92353 - Belvoir Castle Park
Summary
Historic parkland at Belvoir Castle.
Type and Period (1)
- PARK (Post Medieval to Modern - 1654 AD? to 2050 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
Historic parkland at Belvoir Castle is depicted on the 1st edition 6" and 2nd edition 25" Ordnance Survey County Series maps. {1}{2}
The parkland at Belvoir Castle is of mostly early 19th century origin, but incorporates late 17th, late 18th and early 20th century elements. The vast majority of the parkland lies within Leicestershire, although its north-eastern corner crosses into the Lincolnshire parish of Woolsthorpe. This Lincolnshire part provides the eastern entrance to the park, which extends for approximately 2km to the east, west and south of Belvoir Castle. The 3.5km long drive starts at the Eastern Gateway (see PRN 38572) and goes past the East Lodge (see PRN 37868), an ornate two-storey stone building of 1885. It then curves along the plateau above Woolsthorpe, where it enters a tree-lined avenue known as Foster's Avenue, with panoramic views towards the Castle and across the Vale of Belvoir beyond. The drive then drops gently downhill, passing an irregular area of wooded ground known as Holywell Wood, within which are springs and a Holy Well (see PRN 30561). East of Holywell Wood the park is permanent pasture. The drive continues, crossing the bridge between the Upper and Lower lakes, before running through Middlesdale towards the main approach to the Castle.
In 1780, Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was consulted on landscaping Belvoir and improving the Castle. Brown produced detailed drawings at a cost of £516 8s, to shape the land and views in accordance with his ideals of the landscape park. Whilst not all of his ideas were fully realised, Brown's plans and folio album continued to be used after his death, whenever alterations and improvements were intiated at the Castle and on the estate.
The park is registered as being of special historic interest. For the full description of this designated asset, please refer to the National Heritage List for England entry. {3}{4}{5}
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SLI9454 Map: Ordnance Survey. 1883-1888. 6 Inch County Series Map - First Edition. 1:10560. SK 83 SW.
- <2> SLI3566 Map: Ordnance Survey. 1902-06. 25 Inch County Series Map - Second Edition. 1:2500. SK 83 SW.
- <3> SLI13386 Website: Historic England (formerly English Heritage). 2011->. The National Heritage List for England. http://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/. 1000957.
- <4> SLI16513 Report: Historic England. 2019. Capability Brown's Drawings: A Reference Catalogue of Drawings by Brown or his Office (c.1740s-83). pp.41-6.
- <5> SLI16514 Report: Historic England. 2019. Capability Brown's Plans: A Reference Catalogue of Design Plans and Surveys drawn by Brown or his Office (c.1750-83) - Second Edition. pp.24-6.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred SK 8247 3217 (4213m by 4850m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | WOOLSTHORPE, SOUTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (3)
Related Events/Activities (2)
- Event - Survey: Site Visit to Belvoir Castle Park (ELI13329)
- Event - Survey: Site Visit to Belvoir Castle Park (ELI13339)
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
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