Secrets of Stackpole Court walk
A chance to explore the amazing landscape and parkland designed by the Cawdor family as a backdrop to their grand house, Stackpole Court, which was demolished in 1963.
Map
Start:
Stackpole Court car park, grid ref: SR976963
1
Cross the One Arch Bridge from the Stackpole road and park near the turning circle.
2
Walk across the green area in front of you to the terrace to enjoy the spectacular view down to the lake. You can see the Eight Arch Bridge, and the Deer Park on the other side of the lake (though there have been no deer here since the First World War).
View down to the lake
From the terrace you'll have a wonderful view towards the Eight Arch Bridge lake.
3
Retrace your steps and enter Lodge Park. A network of footpaths means you can choose your own route, but look for the main landmarks as you wander round. First is the summer house, which would have been visible through the trees from the Court.
The summer house
The summer house was built as a landscape feature, an eye-catcher from the Court.
4
Enter the walled flower garden by one of the gaps in the wall. This area was planted with flower beds until the First World War.
5
Look out for the stone seat. Can you find the ginko trees nearby?
6
You'll find the ice house on the outer perimeter of the wood. This is a deep (14 feet/14.3 metres) stone-lined shaft which would have been stuffed with layers of straw and packed with ice for preserving food. Today it's used by bats.
7
From the Court site a steep flight of steps descends to the Hidden Bridge. This spill-over weir and causeway was designed so that anyone watching from the One Arch Bridge would see people crossing this causeway apparently walking on water.
Hidden Bridge
The design of this bridge makes it look from a distance as if people crossing it are walking on water.
8
You can leave Lodge Park at this point to visit the walled garden. These immense walled gardens were once used to grow fruit and vegetables for Stackpole Court (and for the Cawdor's homes in London and Scotland). Today it is run by Mencap who grow food for sale. They'll welcome your visit and you might go home with some fresh Stackpole produce.
9
Return to the car park by whichever paths you haven't explored.
End:
Stackpole Court car park, grid ref: SR976963