The Building Exploratory

HERITAGE THEME: HISTORIC BUILDINGS & STRUCTURES THE LEONI BRIDGE, The Grove Park, , Grade II Listed

Image Courtesy of: Lynda Savigar TREASURE DESCRIPTION: White bridge within the Grove Park Carshalton overthrows at ends. Central keyblock with crest. – “North Retaining Wall of the pond to the east Elegant forming part of gentle pathway between of North Street. Portland stone; ashlar; one seg- the large pond and the river. Small but elegant. ment arch.” Plain parapet with scrolls console HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE We know that Giacomo Leoni was in England for ‘The Leoni Bridge’ in the Grove Park although not approximately 30yrs but only received 22 com- of a grand scale is still elegant, almost Wren in missions which are known and none are noted appearance, the central keyblock with the crest as particularly architectural gems of the period. showing the Scawen coat of arms.

His biggest commission in England was for a Although we have no categorical evidence that house for Thomas Scawen one of the richest men this attractive bridge was built by Leoni as evi- in England. The house would be huge, dence recorded to date presents a very strong in style, and the scale of Blenheim. In other words case 80-20 in favour of it being authentic. a . The plans were drawn up in 1727 but the palace was never built.

VOLUNTEER REFLECTIONS Thomas Scawen, we know lived in ‘Stone Court’ (a house in the Grover Park) towards the end of his life. He never had his palace built in Carshalton Park but may, in recognition to Leoni’s work on designs for the palace, have attributed the name ‘Leoni’ to the bridge so named. THE LEONI BRIDGE, The Grove Park, Carshalton, Grade II Listed

SIGINIFICANT PEOPLE Thomas Scawen commissioned Giacomo Leoni to design and build palace in Carshalton. This was never built but gates, the canal, grotto and one of the bridges across the canal were attrib- uted to Leoni.

If this was indeed the case then that bridge which carries the name Leoni which lies in the Grove Park is perfectly plausible as the Scawen family also owned in 1729 ‘Stone Court’ a within what we know as ‘the Grove Park’. Image Courtesy of: Lynda Savigar

VOLUNTEER REFLECTIONS I would agree that although elegant in structure and appearance it does seem a very simple build to be undertaken by an architect set in designing larger buildings. However, we know that he set out designs for a ‘Stone Bridge’ at some time although on a much grander scale and not necessary for Carshalton. The bridge named Leoni interestingly has the Scawen family crest upon the central keyblock.

Image Courtesy of: Lynda Savigar

References: Jones, A. F. An Illustrated Directory of Old Carshalton Carshalton – An Historical Survey Peter Card - Sutton 1952 (SBC 9) The Pentling Papers Vol. 8 The Grove Estate Some designs for buildings both public & private – Giacomo Leoni