Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Bishop Middleham Park
Bishop Middleham Park
Grid Reference NZ329306 Date February 2017 Author Fiona Green
Planning Status Not previously identified in a local plan Partly within Bishop Middleham Conservation Area. Bishop Middleham CA amended in 2012 to include Causeway, Deer Park wall, site of fishponds and swannery
Site Designations None
History Deer park belonging to Bishop's Castle (earthwork remains) one of the principle residences of the Bishops of Durham. Surveyed in 1183 in the 'Boldron Book' and included as land owned by the Bishop of Durham. The castle fell out of use and was let out by the late 14th-century. The park was surrounded by a wall, probably late medieval and recorded by Hatfield surrounding Middleham Manor in 1349 (Page 1928) In 1649 the area of the park amounted to approximately 70 acres (Close, 1649, pt. xii, no. 15.).The park was a walled inclosure in Surtees' day.(fn. 23). There are still some fragments of walls and an entrancegate.(Surtees) The bishops also had a fish-pond at Middleham. In 1313 Bishop Kellaw ordered his bailiff to deliver to Robert de Hilton two cygnets from his vivary (swannery) to Middleham (Reg. Palat. Dunelm. (Rolls Ser.), i, 480). The 'Viver banks' are mentioned in 1349–50. The fishponds are recorded in Durham HER (D1119), also the Deer Park wall Durham HER (D1116).
Description The Lidar imagery of the site shows detail of the fishponds and quarries on the west side. Some of the surrounding fields are under arable cultivation and remaining areas are used as pasture. A sewage works is located on the west side of the main water body. The landscape was once waterlogged but there is no suggestion, despite an advantageous viewpoint from the site of the castle, in records that it was adapted as ornamental water gardens.
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 Bishop Middleham Park
Significance Factor Commentary Interest Local Regional National International Age Medieval 1066-1540 Y
Aesthetic Value Of high local interest. Deliberately designed deer hunting park, Y medieval fishponds and swannery
Landscape or Horticultural There is high value in the layout of the site and its relationship Y Interest to Bishop Middleham village.
Designer N/A N
Group Value There are two other Swannerys in County Durham at Auckland Y Castle and Swan House, Ferryhill There are 12 sites with Medieval (1066-1540) deer parks in County Durham There are 7 sites with Medieval (1066-1540) fishponds in County Durham There are 17 Medieval (1066-1540) fishponds in Northumberland
Rarity Of local interest Y Swannery of Regional interest?
Historic Interest High status deer park, fishpond and vivary provided a living larder and reflect a complex system of land management.
Historical Association Association with the Bishops of Durham Y Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Bishop Middleham Park
Social and Communal Value PROWs to village. Y
Evidential Value High local value Y
Overall significance It is unclear whether swannerys were designed for ornamental Y as well as practical purposes. The deer park was a landscape designed for the aesthetic pursuit of hunting deer and is of local historic interest.
Durham County Council Review of Historic Parks, Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Local Interest Bishop Middleham Park
Background Information
Location, Area, Boundaries, Landform, Setting
Entrances and approaches Approached by public footpath from Bishop Middleham village
Principal Buildings Middleham Castle List entry Number: 1002330
Park Deer Park
Other Land The deer park would have covered a greater area as it was recorded as extending to 70 acres in 1649.
References Page (ed.) (1928) A History of the County of Durham V.3
Historic Landscape Part: Country house (manor/estate) Characterisation
Further Research Not required as part of this review