Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Biddick Hall

Name Biddick Hall

Grid Reference NZ313527 Date February 2017 Author Fiona Green

Planning Status Not previously identified in a local plan as Historic Park and Garden

Site Designations Biddick Hall Grade I List Entry Number: 1120989 Fountain 160m west of Biddick Hall Grade II List Entry Number: 1120992 Garden Wall and Gates, West of Biddick Hall Grade II List Entry Number: 1323068 Garden wall and gates and two statues south west of Biddick Hall Grade II List Entry Number: 1158879 Dovecote 150 m south west of Biddick Hall Grade Ii List Entry Number: 1158900 4 stone urns 50m west of Biddick Hall Grade II List Entry Number: 1323067 Detached Pair of Gates, 45 m South-West of Biddick Hall Grade II List Entry Number: 1120990 Pair of Vases at Ends of Terrace on West Front of Biddick Hall Grade II: List Entry Number 1120991 Marble Bench Against West Front of Biddick Hall Grade II List Entry Number:1158893 Piers, Wall, Gate and Railings South of Biddick Hall Grade II List Entry Number: 1323066 Garden Wall and Gates, West of Biddick Hall Grade II List Entry Number: 1323068 Statue of Mercury north west of Biddick Hall Grade II List Entry number :1158910

History The site has been owned by the Lambton family since at least the 12th-century. Early 18th century house built for the Lambton family in Baroque style and incorporating earlier building possibly by the Bowes family who sold estate to Sir William Lambton (d.1644) in 1610. The main block is described as perhaps being influenced by Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726) who worked at Lumley in 1721. Lord and Lady Lambton took up residence in 1948 and found remains of aircraft batteries, a tennis court built on the site of a former lake (marked as fishpond 1860s OS). The building is of brick and set in woodland and approached via a dramatic lime avenue. The east bay was added in 1859. The north wing and additions to rear of east bay were added between 1954-5 by E.M. Lawson and Partners. Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Biddick Hall

Description The 1860s OS shows evidence of late 17th/early 18th century gardens. The Avenue forms an approach from the south leading directly to the south front of the hall. The site of a long narrow fish pond is marked on the east side of the hall. An arrangement of enclosed formal gardens stand to the west. These are backed by woodland at the west end and lie on either side of a truncated, oval shaped, Fish Pond. The west end of the fish pond overlooks a curved embankment which allows views across parkland. An enclosed walk leads west to a mound which, if it still survives, would be a highly unusual garden feature in . Formal gardens developed to the west of the hall during late 1960s including apiary with Chippendale style hives. A hawthorn and yew avenue beyond lead to an Italian fountain from which walks radiate into avenues and among woodland that has since more than doubled in area. The walled garden north of the hall remained in productive use and included a rose and clematis walk. The south walled garden is an orchard which is under- planted with spring bulbs. An Italian garden was developed as a series of yew hedged 'rooms' south of this garden during the 1960s. Of the two statues located south west of Biddick Hall, one depicts man slaying the Lambton Worm.

Recommendation Add to List of Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest

Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Biddick Hall

Significance Factor Commentary Interest Local Regional National International Age Post Medieval 1541 - 1900. Y

Aesthetic Value 18th, 19th, 20th-century landscape. The garden compartments Y are maintained to a high standard. The Avenue remains as an imposing approach and setting to the hall.

Landscape or Horticultural Clipped hedge compartments on layout of previous gardens. Y Interest Apiary

Designer Lord Lambton during 20th century. Y

Group Value Relationship with neighbouring Lambton Castle Park & Garden Y Grade II List Entry Number 1001438 and Fenton House, . See also neighbouring Park & Garden Grade II List Entry Number: 1001395 and Harraton Hall (not extant). Earl of Durham's Monument Grade I List entry Number: 1354965 (formerly listed as ) also Bedick site of the earliest part of the estate.

Rarity The Apiary is possibly unique. Y

Historic Interest High status 20th century gardens with evidence of late 17th- Y early 18th century layouts Garden figures from Lambton Hall (Pevsner 1985)

Historical Association The Lambton dynasty have owned the Lambton estate since the Y 12th-century. Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Biddick Hall

Social and Communal Value Distinctive to the Lambton family and their 'story'. No public Y access.

Evidential Value Private archive Y

Overall significance The gardens at Biddick Hall incorporate significant features Y which reflect the prestigious Lambton family. The gardens include formal compartments, unusual bee hives, a ceremonial approach, walled gardens, woodland, an orchard with statuary, an Italian Garden, an ornamental basin with fountain, and a long vista west of the hall. Biddick Hall gardens are considered to be of high significance and of national historic interest.

Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Biddick Hall

Background Information

Location, Area, Boundaries, Landform, Setting

Entrances and approaches Main approach from the east along The Avenue (lime trees). Connection to Lambton Park & Castle via the Lion Bridge.

Gardens & Pleasure Grounds Gardens west of hall divided into compartments which appear to reflect late 17th/early 18th century layout. Southern walled garden now occupied by orchard.

Park Early 20th century dovecote in woodland south west of Biddick Hall.

Kitchen Garden North Kitchen Garden used for productive purposes until early 21st century.

Other Land The Lambton estate.

References Sunderland City Museum - Tyne & Wear Museums Service A plan of North Biddick Estate (1750) SCM TWCMS B8183

Printed Sources Hussey C. (1966) Biddick Hall - Durham Country LifeV.139 Jamieson (1906) Durham at the opening of the 20th century. Lambton (1987) House and Garden (U.S.A) November Mackenzie & Ross (1834) An Historical, Topographical View of the County of Durham Vol 1 p.78 Milne &Verey (1982) The Englishman's Garden Truscott, James (1990) Country Life V.184 p.126 Truscott, James (1987) Garden History Society Newsletter Historic Landscape Designed parkland; Ornamental garden Characterisation

Further Research Not required as part of this review. However, priorities for future research include examination of Tithe Maps.