Secret Garden

Post date: Aug 28, 2011 10:02:09 AM

Littleover in Bloom along with the Littleover Local History group, have been investigating the possibility of finding the lost garden once belonging to Littleover Old Hall.

The Old Hall, once the seat of Sir Richard Harpur of Swarkstone, passed on through the line until the last of the Harpur family died in 1754, the estate was then inherited by the Heathecote family by marriage. (Craven and Stanley 2001) On the death of Cockshutt Heathcote, the last family member, the house was sold off to Edward Maccinnes in 1890, a local builder.

The house by then was in such a bad state of repair Maccinnes decided to re-build, and the firm of William Barron of Borrowash, employed to landscape the garden. Barron and son’s were famous for their tree moving machines, said to have once moved a yew, 400 years of age.

The current house was once more sold off in 1934 to Harold Walker who commissioned the firm, which had become, Barron and son’s, once more to re-design the garden and grounds.

We have been investigating the source of water to the trough in the Hollow, following through the grounds of what is now Derwent housing, once the extended grounds of the Old Hall. Evidence of a series of water features still remain. We do also have a copy of a very confusing reticulation system, kindly supplied by the Fire station headquarters. The stone used in the grounds is similar to stone at Elvaston Castle, where Barron landscaped also. (The garden History Society 2007).

We have discussed the project with Derwent housing, who have wholeheartedly supported our find, and have offered any help we may need, we have also enlisted a small group of enthusiastic residents.

Together we hope to re-create, what we believe, is the long lost garden of Littleover.