93y
THE ESTATES GAZETTE
June 3, 1899.
Of so romantic ana beautiful a character are the grounds that it is hard, indeed, to believe that one is here only some four miles from Charing-cross. Yet such, indeed, is the fact. Along the whole extent of the south front of the house stretches a broad terrace, with an ample gravel walk, and a lawn of rich old turf; beyond, the land slopes away sharply into a deep dell and rises again on all sides to a considerable height, the slopes being clothed with finely-matured specimens of forest trees, which just now, in their fresh spring garb, present a most delightful aspect. At one end, the steep bank of the terrace, which, by the way, is charmingly treated as a wild garden, is descended by winding steps, and thence one is in a charming spot that in times gone by was sacred to the game of bowls, later to the practice of coquetry and croquet, but to-day forms a very fine tennis lawn. The lawn, which is circular, forms, as it were, the bottom of a basin and is embowered by a wealth of timber, planted originally with an eye to effect, that flourishes on the surrounding slopes. Beyond this most delightful nook, in the one direction, lie the kitchen gardens—where there is an excellent range of vine, stove and other glasshouses, as well as pits, nursery ground and the usual appanages of the gardener’s quarter—whilst, in the opposite direction, a narrow winding path leads by shrubberies and around the pretty dell thence into the little woodland on the hill slope. From the other end of the terrace the way leada through a delightfully shady spot, a sort of half-cultivated wilderness, with a very fine copper beech in the centre, and round by shrubberies and rockeries to the upper lawn on the north front of the house. Trees of many kinds and ages, shrubs and conifers of varieties innumerable, with rhododendrons, hardy azaleas, and many another flowering shrub interspersed, are here disposed skilfully, so as to form a delightfully natural prospect and effectually seclude tbe spot. Bordering this north garden,and between it andthekitchen garden, is the principal entrance to the house, a pretty carriage drive through a winding avenue, entered from the road by a pair of iron gates, and guarded by a two-storied entrance lodge of picturesque elevation. Near by is the stabling, with an approach from the private road which borders the property on one side ; the accommodation comprises two loose boxes, four stalls, harness room, two coach-houses, etc.; also four good living rooms for the coachman.
BRANCH HILL LODGE,
Hampstead Heath.
T\HE mere mention of Hampstead and its beautiful heath at once conjures up pleasant memories of delightful rambles over the vast expanse of picturesque upland and dale, and recalls to mind the many pleasant associations which the delightful old suburban town has with the historic past. To enter upon a description of the glories of Hampstead would be almost like painting the lily ; all the world knows the unique advantages which this district possesses from a residential point of view.
It is generally agreed that the portion of Hampstead bordering on the western part of the beautiful heath is the choicest and most select residential quarter of the district. The view over the heath here from the pretty avenue of Judge’s Walk is a delightful one, and except the gladsome laughter of the romping children, no unpleasant noise occurs to jar upon the senses of residents; fortunately the holiday makers generally prefer to take their enjoyment on the other side of the heath, whilst the busy main street of the town is too well removed from this part to cause any annoyance.
Leigh Hunt used to say of the fine view of Harrow and the Hertfordshire hills gained from the height of Judge’s Walk, that it reminded him of an Italian landscape, and in the light of the setting sun this thought must come to many who enjoy the view. The avenue derives its name from the tradition that during the great plague of London the judges removed hither from Westminster to hold their courts. Beyond the southern end of the avenue, and on the other side of West Heath-road, are the beautiful grounds of Branch-hill Lodge, the main entrance to which nestles in a corner a little further down
THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE SURVEYORS | INSTITUTION.
Mr. Thomas Miller Rickman, who was on Monday chosen as president of the Surveyors’ Institution, is the son of Mr. Thomas Rickman, F.S.A., author of “An Attempt to Discriminate the Styles of English Architecture.” He was educated at King Edward’s School and the Proprietary School, Birmingham, and subsequently articled to Mr. R. C. Hussey, F.S.A., architect, of Birmingham, in 1848. He came with Mr. Hussey to London in 1849 and remained some years as his managing clerk, devoting much of his time to the study of English architecture.
In 1854 Mr. Rickman became an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and was at that time president of the Architectural Association. In 1856-7 he entered into practice at Stoke-upon-Trent, in partnership with Mr. C. Lynam, and in 1858 commenced practice in London as an architect and surveyor, a practice which soon drifted largely into that of a measuring surveyor.
In 1860 he passed the Institute Examination for the office of District Survejor, and in 1865 was elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. In 1871 he became Associate of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and in 1878 was elected Conseiller Honoraire de la Société des Architectes du Department du Nord,
In 1873 he became Fellow of the Surveyors’ Institution, in whose examinations he has assisted since their establishment in 1882, and he has sat on the council since 1885.
From 1886 Mr. Rickman was for some year3 secretary of the Practice (Standing) Committee of the Royal Institute oi British Architects, and was engaged for a long time in the negotiations with the Institute of Builders for a revision of the “ Conditions of Contract,” and on behalf both of the architects and surveyors in negotiations with the London County Council as to the London Building Act of 1894.
Our portrait is reproduced from a photograph taken only a few days since by Messrs. Maull and Fox.
BBANCH HILL LODGE, N.W.
LONDON IN PAWN.
To the Editor of the Estates gazette.
Sir,—We notice your leading article in the impression for May 27, wherein you remark upon our letter of the same date about St. Paul’s-churchyard, and the proposed widening of the northern roadway. We are quite content with your article, and ask leave to make only two remarks thereupon in explanation. First, that the week-day services in St. Paul’s are generally held on the north side of the cathedral, in the chapels, and therefore quiet is more necessary on that side than the southern. In respect to the recoupment from surplus lands on the London County Council’s intended road from Holborn (or rather Theobald’s-road) to the Strand, we have to explain that, owing to the great waste of taking too much property and making far too wide a street (100ft.), we consider that such new street will not return half the enormous expense of its construction and cost. It is entirely unnecessary to destroy four theatres, or to destroy the western side of Lin-coln’s-inn-fields, for the proposed new street. The route ought to pass through the open part of Lincoln’s-inn-fields from Gate-street, and in that way a long part of the line would cost nothing. Newcastle-street, Strand, ought also to be made use of. We hope at the last hour some patriotic Member of Parliament will curtail the Bill, before it passes through Committee. It is a gigantic piece of reckless extravagance.
Yours etc.,
H. and R. POWELL.
Bayswater, W.
P.S.—The Northumberland-house-avenue succeeded well because there was only one large mansion to purchase, and, several !acres of vacant ground, which made it comparatively cheap. The roadway there is only about 80ft. wide, not 100ft. New Oxford-street. is only 60ft., a very good road.
the road. This property is to be offered to auction by Messrs. Debenham, Tewson Farmer and Bridgewater, of 80, Cheapside, E.G., at the London Auction Mart' Tokenhouse-yard, on Tuesday, June 20 next.
Apart from its intrinsic merits as a residence, Branch-hill Lodge has clinging to it many memorable and interesting associations. Here resided Lord Rosslyn, previous to his acquiring Rosslyn House, and before his elevation to the barony of Wedderburn. Previous to this, Branch-hill Lodge belonged to Sir Thomas Clark, Master of the Rolls, who, about the year 1745, built part of the house, which was standing in Lord Loughborough’s time. He bequeathed it to his patron, Lord Chancellor Macclesfield, who was obliged to purchase the copyhold part of the premises from Sir Thomas Clark’s heirs, in consequence of his having neglected to surrender it to the uses of his will. Lord Macclesfield resided at Branch-hill Lodge some years. It was afterwards, in the successive occupation of Mr. Thomas Walker, Master of Chancery, and then of Lord Loughborough. In 1799, Thomas, son of Sir Richard Neave, Bart., purchased it of Colonel Parker (a younger son of Lord Macclesfield), and greatly improved the house and grounds. Mr. Neave had at this villa, Mr. Howitt tells us, in his “ Northern Heights,” a very large and most valuable collection of ancient painted glass, a great part of which was procured from various convents on the Continent, immediately after the French Revolution. Amongst the most remarkable of the pieces may be mentioned the “ Nativity ” from the convent at Ghent, and a most rich and highly-prized piece from a convent at Rouen, representing Catherine of Austria, Queen of Portugal, consort of John III. (its founder), and St. Anne. It also contained a fine piece of the Crucifixion upon a large scale, and many other treasures. The house has for some years been the residence of Mr. Basil Woodd Smith.
Branch-hill Lodge, as it stands to-day, represents a considerable enlargement of the structure which served as the country house of the succession of famous lawyers already named. The alterations were carried out about thirty years ago, under the direction of the eminent architect, Mr. S. S. Teulon, and the house now forms one of the finest family residences to be found in the suburbs of London.
But the glory of Branch-hill Lodge is its beautiful situation and surroundings. The house, which gives every accommodation for a gentleman's family, the principal apartments being of ample dimensions and pleasant character, stands well within its own spacious grounds of some six acres, which possess all the delights and pleasures of a small park, and occupies an elevated position on a terrace, with views towards Oak-hill-park on the south, and across the west heath on the north.
An important freehold property in Dover-street, Piccadilly, W., and a freehold ground rent of £100 per annum secured on a portion of Shelley’s Hotel, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, will be offered at the Mart on Wednesday next, by Messrs. Browett and Taylor. The sale will afford trustees and other investors an opportunity of securing some sound freehold investments.
The Extension or Erring Forest.—The Duke of Connaught, as Ranger of Epping Forest, on Thursday visited the domain for the purpose of dedicating to the public ■that picturesque portion of the Yardley House Estate, Chingford, which Mr. Edward North Buxtsn so generously gave to be added to the Forest. His Royal Highness was accompanied by the Duchess of Connaught. The Forest being in full leaf and the hawthorn, chestnut and laburnum in bloom, now presents a charming aspect, and wide-spreading as it is, every addition thereto, either by gift (as in the case of Mr. Buxton) or by purchase, is every day more and more valued by Londoners. Should any philanthropic citizen be desirous of adding still further to the glories of Epping Forest, and of recording his name in perpetuity, a fitting opportunity will shortly be afforded, as we notice that the beautifully wooded property, well known in the district as “ Cooke’s Folly,” or “ Belle Yue Estate,” will shortly be in the market. It is situate al most in the midst of one of the most delightful parts of the Forest, and fronting it to the extent of three quarters of a mile ; whilst it is close to the well-known Higham’s Park, which was acquired by purchase a few years since. Including outlying portions, the estate comprises about 155 acres. Having regard to its position and short distance from, town, it is undoubtedly unique, from the builder’s or speculator’s point of view, and one of the most important suburban building estates that have come under the hammer. To those whom it may interest we may mention that the sale will take place on July 3, and will be conducted by Mr. Wm. Houghton, of Old Broad-street, E.C.