Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Streatlam Park

Streatlam Park

Grid Reference NZ 083196 Date September 2017 Author Fiona Green

Planning Status Previously identified in a local plan Not within Conservation Area

Site Designations Streatlam Castle south lodges with walls, gates and railings attached. Grade II. List Entry Number 1310307 Bridge over Forthburn Beck on north drive to former Streatlam Castle Grade II. List Entry Number 1322720 Orangery c.200 m north of bridge over Forthburn Beck. Grade II. List Entry Number 1310277 Farmhouse at Streatlam Home Farm. Grade II. List Entry Number 1121741 Dutch Barn at Streatlam Home Farm. Grade II. List Entry Number 1161015 Broomielaw Farmhouse and attached outbuildings and pump. Grade II. List Entry Number 1322722

History Streatlam Castle was built on the site of a building established by Sir William Bowes c.1450. A new castle was probably started by Sir William Bowes (1656 - 1706).The house was recorded as 'nearly finished' in 1720. Sir George Bowes held the estate until 1761 but favoured . John Bowes (1811- 85), illegitimate son of the 10th Earl of Strathmore inherited the estate and married Josephine Benoite Coffin-Chevalier with whom he founded the . The orangery was built in 1862 to house orange trees from Louveciennes. A Pinetum was added during the 1860s by head gardener Alexander Barclay, Wild Garden and ornamental Deer Park were also established during that period. The castle was demolished in 1958.

Description Nothing but a veneration for the ancient feat of the family, could induce the proprietor such a mansion in so ineligible situation. It stands in a deep vale, a small brook runs close to its front, high and irregular hills arise on every side, in some parts covered with a forest of oaks; and the whole aspect is solemn. The opposite grounds are occupied as a park for deer, and afford a narrow prospect; there is something romantic in these secluded scenes, which please the contemplative mind; but they are better adapted to the vicinity of a cottage than a palace. The purling brook, the broken cliff, from whose snaken sides old oaks impend, and cast a long extended shadow over the dell; the ivy - twisted elm, the mossy cove and primrose bank, are pretty objects in pastoral life, but correspond not with the gaiety of the great; such are the beauties of Streatlam. (Hutchinson (1785-94) Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Streatlam Park

The 1869 OS shows Streatlam Park north east of the village of Stainton. The castle was located at the north end of the estate overlooking the park which was scattered with parkland trees and the route of the ceremonial approach which entered the estate from South Lodge. The approach crosses Forthburn Beck close to the castle, the stream, meanders across the park and includes waterfalls which would have been visible to the west from the bridge. The West Lodge and North Lodge entrances are discreetly hidden by plantations. East Lodge led to Streatlam Farm. The boundary of the park is sheltered by plantations to the west and south and the woodland merges into Great Wood along the east boundary. The main pleasure grounds are on a circuit walk which led north west from the castle and included the Pinetum (see 1898 OS), Walled Garden, Wild Garden and Orangery. Numerous rides circumnavigate the park. The Lodges also survive; the main classical southern gate lodges of c.1840 (south on the A688) and drive bridge of 1880; the east lodge near home farm; the north lodge of 1900; and the west lodge by Watson 1882. High House, north of the park was the agent's house, a cottage much enlarged. (Roberts 2012) Northumbria Gardens Trust survey 2014. Survey of trees in order to get a sense of how the woodland developed, survey species, note features in each area, targeting clumps, individual trees, shelterbelts, clumps.

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 Streatlam Park

Significance Factor Commentary Interest Local Regional National International Age Post- medieval Y

Aesthetic Value High Y

Landscape or Horticultural Victorian Pinetum, Wild Garden, magnificent parkland trees. Y Interest

Designer Pinteum, Alexander Barclay. Y

Group Value Gibside, Tyne & Wear, Grade . List Entry Number 1000508. Y Bowes Museum, . Grade II. List Entry Number 1000728.

Rarity Of National Interest? Y

Historic Interest Highly prestigious landscape Y

Historical Association Bowes family Y

Social and Communal Value Private but some parkland is visible from A6888 Y

Evidential Value Exceptional National Interest Y

Overall significance The setting to the now demolished Streatlam Castle includes Y parkland scattered with trees, a ceremonial approach, South Lodge. a stream, with waterfalls, West Lodge, North Lodge, plantations, East Lodge, plantations west and south, Great Wood, a circuit walk included the Pinetum (see 1898 OS), Walled Garden, Wild Garden and Orangery, rides circumnavigating the park and Hugh House, the agent's house. These features contribute to Streatlam Park being of national interest.

Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Streatlam Park

Background Information

Location, Area, Boundaries, Landform, Setting

Entrances and approaches Approach from the south. Entrances also at West, North and East Lodges.

Principal Buildings Streatlam Castle south lodges with walls, gates and railings attached. Grade II Bridge over Forthburn Beck on north drive to former Streatlam Castle Grade II.

Orangery c.200 m north of bridge over Forthburn Beck. Grade II. Farmhouse at Streatlam Home Farm. Grade II. Dutch Barn at Streatlam Home Farm. Grade II. Broomielaw Farmhouse and attached outbuildings and pump. Grade II Gardens & Pleasure Grounds Located north west of former site of Streatlam Castle, include Pinetum, Wild Garden and walks along Forthburn Beck, which includes stone lined channels in places. Orangery and Rose Garden.

Park Extensive parkland with plantations and parkland trees

References Bowes Museum Exhibition November 2017 - March 2018 Streatlam Castle: Rediscover the home of John and Josephine Bowes. Bowes Museum Collections Joseph Miller painting of View of Streatlam Castle in middle distance with three cows in the foreground (1800- 1825). Title Streatlam Castle Object number 1972.116/B.M. Collection of photographs of Streatlam Castle showing park and gardens. Durham County Record Office Bowes Museum Collection D/Bo Strathmore Estate D/St/B Unpublished notes Roberts, M (2012) Notes for Northumbria Gardens Trust visit to Streatlam Castle.

Published sources Country Life Volume 38 1915 pp. 836-43 Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Streatlam Park

Historic Landscape Designed parkland Characterisation

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