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While still a residence and more particularly before the leasing of land for building purposes the grounds contained all manner of trees and shrubs including the rhododendrons introduced by Repton. Flowers included roses and honeysuckle round the house and a characteristic of the grounds were the shrubbery walks, particularly the one to the house from the entrance. The grounds also contained a water garden and at one time even a deer park.
While still a residence and more particularly before the leasing of land for building purposes the grounds contained all manner of trees and shrubs including the rhododendrons introduced by Repton. Flowers included roses and honeysuckle round the house and a characteristic of the grounds were the shrubbery walks, particularly the one to the house from the entrance. The grounds also contained a water garden and at one time even a deer park.
Today we can still see trees that are thought to be between 300 and 400 years old and must have witnessed the early days of St. John's House.
Today we can still see trees that are thought to be between 300 and 400 years old and must have witnessed the early days of St. John's House.
From the house, then as now, an extensive view of Spithead and Portsmouth was one of the most noticeable features of St. John's.
From the house, then as now, an extensive view of Spithead and Portsmouth was one of the most noticeable features of St. John's.
Between St. John's and the water was Apley (sic) House, the home of a Mrs. Roberts in the time of General Amherst, and later of a Doctor Walker, the son-in-law of Mrs. Roberts. It was hidden from view from St. John's by a thick bank of trees, just as the Benedictine St. Cecilia's Abbey which stands on its site, is today. The house was extended to become the Abbey in 1907.
Between St. John's and the water was Apley (sic) House, the home of a Mrs. Roberts in the time of General Amherst, and later of a Doctor Walker, the son-in-law of Mrs. Roberts. It was hidden from view from St. John's by a thick bank of trees, just as the Benedictine St. Cecilia's Abbey which stands on its site, is today. The house was extended to become the Abbey in 1907.
The row of three lodges - Upper Lodge, Middle Lodge and Lower Lodge (the site of Lower Lodge is now the site of a café), were Lodges for the Appley Tower, later to be called Appley Hall Estate. These were situated in a row along Appley Lane with Lower Lodge at the sea front, Middle Lodge at the junction of Appley Rise and Appley Lane, and Upper Lodge where Appley Lane meets Marlborough Road. At one time a brickworks stood near the site of Lower Lodge.
The row of three lodges - Upper Lodge, Middle Lodge and Lower Lodge (the site of Lower Lodge is now the site of a café), were Lodges for the Appley Tower, later to be called Appley Hall Estate. These were situated in a row along Appley Lane with Lower Lodge at the sea front, Middle Lodge at the junction of Appley Rise and Appley Lane, and Upper Lodge where Appley Lane meets Marlborough Road. At one time a brickworks stood near the site of Lower Lodge.
Further east lay Apley (sic) Tower and further still was St. Clare, the elegant castellated mansion of Lord Vernon, in the last century.
Further east lay Apley (sic) Tower and further still was St. Clare, the elegant castellated mansion of Lord Vernon, in the last century.
The situation of St. John's was compared in the last century to that of the Priory along the coast, between Seaview and St. Helens, the home then of a gentleman named Nash Grose, who was later to be knighted and was a judge. Both were considered delightful settings.
The situation of St. John's was compared in the last century to that of the Priory along the coast, between Seaview and St. Helens, the home then of a gentleman named Nash Grose, who was later to be knighted and was a judge. Both were considered delightful settings.
To return to the grounds of St. John's itself there are other buildings of interest within the old boundaries beside the house.
To return to the grounds of St. John's itself there are other buildings of interest within the old boundaries beside the house.
The lodge or cottage entrance to St. John's which stood at the junction of St. John's Wood Road and St. John's Hill displayed the influence of Repton, called in by Edward Simeon to landscape the grounds. This entrance was the source of a lot of pleasure for Victorian writers and visitors.
The lodge or cottage entrance to St. John's which stood at the junction of St. John's Wood Road and St. John's Hill displayed the influence of Repton, called in by Edward Simeon to landscape the grounds. This entrance was the source of a lot of pleasure for Victorian writers and visitors.
Cottage entrance to St. John's
The road to St. Helens began at the railings and gateway between two stone thatched cottages which had porches formed by the trunks of trees.
The road to St. Helens began at the railings and gateway between two stone thatched cottages which had porches formed by the trunks of trees.
The flower and creeper growth on these cottages was apparently quite spectacular with jasmine and roses around the windows together with a creeper called clematis, which wound around the pillars of the porch. Its deep, glossy leaves with white and purple flowers made a striking contrast with the thatch. It is also worth noting that the area was thick with trees.
The flower and creeper growth on these cottages was apparently quite spectacular with jasmine and roses around the windows together with a creeper called clematis, which wound around the pillars of the porch. Its deep, glossy leaves with white and purple flowers made a striking contrast with the thatch. It is also worth noting that the area was thick with trees.
Inside these two cottages, in a floor space of about 18 square feet, was a sitting room, a bedroom and a pantry. Outside in the porch were bench seats which in good weather could be used almost as an outdoor sitting room and no doubt added to the charm of the place.
Inside these two cottages, in a floor space of about 18 square feet, was a sitting room, a bedroom and a pantry. Outside in the porch were bench seats which in good weather could be used almost as an outdoor sitting room and no doubt added to the charm of the place.
One cottage was a pleasant home for the gatekeeper and the other was a relaxing retreat, when stocked with books, for residents or visitors to the house.
One cottage was a pleasant home for the gatekeeper and the other was a relaxing retreat, when stocked with books, for residents or visitors to the house.
As the size of the grounds got smaller another lodge was built, probably around the time that J.P. Gassiot had the extra wing built onto the house. This one is at the top of the present drive within a few yards of Upper Lodge of the Appley Tower Estate.
As the size of the grounds got smaller another lodge was built, probably around the time that J.P. Gassiot had the extra wing built onto the house. This one is at the top of the present drive within a few yards of Upper Lodge of the Appley Tower Estate.
However, the original entrance to St. John's House was by a short drive from the site of the present bus lay-by outside the school. This drive was much the same shape as the present curving path to the front door of the house. When Repton replaced it the drive swept up from the cottage entrance and appeared in front of this house as a semi-circular drive which enabled carriages to drive up to the house and away without turning round.
However, the original entrance to St. John's House was by a short drive from the site of the present bus lay-by outside the school. This drive was much the same shape as the present curving path to the front door of the house. When Repton replaced it the drive swept up from the cottage entrance and appeared in front of this house as a semi-circular drive which enabled carriages to drive up to the house and away without turning round.
Nearby the site of the lodge entrance to St. John's (or today St. John's Station) runs a stream named Monkton Mead Brook. On either side of this brook were two meadows named Monk's Mead or Monkton Mead. There is an interesting story connected with these meadows. In the middle of the last century the first crop of corn from them was taken not by the owner or person who rented the land but by the tenant of Newnham Farm situated between Havenstreet and Binstead. The story is that one of the monks of Quarr was in the habit of visiting the family occupying Newnham Farm for reasons of an amorous rather than a religious nature and stabled his horse at the farmer's expense. Thus he left the right to the first crop of hay to the tenant of the farm in his Will.The tenant's authorization to collect this crop was said to be a rough religious statue inset in the wall of the farm. The truth and legality of this arrangement are not known but, sure enough, the farmer would arrive on the pre-arranged day and take the crop back to Newnham.
Nearby the site of the lodge entrance to St. John's (or today St. John's Station) runs a stream named Monkton Mead Brook. On either side of this brook were two meadows named Monk's Mead or Monkton Mead. There is an interesting story connected with these meadows. In the middle of the last century the first crop of corn from them was taken not by the owner or person who rented the land but by the tenant of Newnham Farm situated between Havenstreet and Binstead. The story is that one of the monks of Quarr was in the habit of visiting the family occupying Newnham Farm for reasons of an amorous rather than a religious nature and stabled his horse at the farmer's expense. Thus he left the right to the first crop of hay to the tenant of the farm in his Will.The tenant's authorization to collect this crop was said to be a rough religious statue inset in the wall of the farm. The truth and legality of this arrangement are not known but, sure enough, the farmer would arrive on the pre-arranged day and take the crop back to Newnham.
The remains of the folly
To return to buildings - two constructions connected directly with the house are the folly at the bottom of the present grounds, which was built purely for ornamental purposes, it being considered much better to have something to look at rather than an empty gap, and a building which stood where Thatcher's End is now. This Gothic castle-like construction was used as a bathing house and a place for General Amherst to watch the comings and goings of Spithead. It was demolished probably around 1840 when some of the grounds of St. John's were offered to let and East Hill Road was laid out.
To return to buildings - two constructions connected directly with the house are the folly at the bottom of the present grounds, which was built purely for ornamental purposes, it being considered much better to have something to look at rather than an empty gap, and a building which stood where Thatcher's End is now. This Gothic castle-like construction was used as a bathing house and a place for General Amherst to watch the comings and goings of Spithead. It was demolished probably around 1840 when some of the grounds of St. John's were offered to let and East Hill Road was laid out.
In 1880 the nearby boating lake was created on land reclaimed from the sea by the building of a strong sea wall. The architect for the work was Francis Newman.
In 1880 the nearby boating lake was created on land reclaimed from the sea by the building of a strong sea wall. The architect for the work was Francis Newman.
The group of houses known as St. John's Park began to be laid out in 1854 and here in retirement lived General Sir Sam Browne, V.C., G.C.B., K.C.S.I., of Indian Army fame. It was he who invented the famous Sam Browne belt worn by British officers after 1890 and copied by so many other armies.
The group of houses known as St. John's Park began to be laid out in 1854 and here in retirement lived General Sir Sam Browne, V.C., G.C.B., K.C.S.I., of Indian Army fame. It was he who invented the famous Sam Browne belt worn by British officers after 1890 and copied by so many other armies.
A view by Brannon showing Ryde. In the foreground is the area on which St. John's Park was to be built.
The area known as Preston Park was sold for building purposes by auction in 1865, as was also Amphill Road and other large areas of the estate leaving only about 16-20 acres.
The area known as Preston Park was sold for building purposes by auction in 1865, as was also Amphill Road and other large areas of the estate leaving only about 16-20 acres.
The school on Gassiot Green was built in memory of J.P. Gassiot by his son Charles. In 1878 when Charles laid the foundation stone the Rev. Henry Ewbank, vicar of St. John's Church for 31 years from 1867 to 1898, and his curate took part in the ceremony which was attended by many people. (At this time the Rev. Ewbank's living from the church was £140 per year).
The school on Gassiot Green was built in memory of J.P. Gassiot by his son Charles. In 1878 when Charles laid the foundation stone the Rev. Henry Ewbank, vicar of St. John's Church for 31 years from 1867 to 1898, and his curate took part in the ceremony which was attended by many people. (At this time the Rev. Ewbank's living from the church was £140 per year).
It was the school to which children of the estate were sent and it operated a voucher system whereby pupils would daily hand in a voucher they had been supplied with as payment for their education.
It was the school to which children of the estate were sent and it operated a voucher system whereby pupils would daily hand in a voucher they had been supplied with as payment for their education.
Three managers of the school lived at St. John's. Miss Gladys Johnston and General Henry Carr Tate and his wife (Anne Gassiot) who also took a keen interest in the place, helping with and organising the help of local ladies in the teaching of reading, needlework and cookery.
Three managers of the school lived at St. John's. Miss Gladys Johnston and General Henry Carr Tate and his wife (Anne Gassiot) who also took a keen interest in the place, helping with and organising the help of local ladies in the teaching of reading, needlework and cookery.
Today the school is Oakfield Church of England Primary School. The village of Oakfield itself appeared around the 1830's and was originally known as Canada, possibly a connection with the originally known as Canada, possibly a connection with the original owner Colonel Amherst. Apparently Canada was filthy and unpleasant and avoided by the rest of Ryde.
Today the school is Oakfield Church of England Primary School. The village of Oakfield itself appeared around the 1830's and was originally known as Canada, possibly a connection with the originally known as Canada, possibly a connection with the original owner Colonel Amherst. Apparently Canada was filthy and unpleasant and avoided by the rest of Ryde.
Next we come to the church of St. John the Baptist which was consecrated on the 18 July, 1843 and built on land given for the purpose by Sir Richard Godin Simeon. This land, before the building of the church, had hot houses on it and was originally part of the adjoining Troublefield Farm.
Next we come to the church of St. John the Baptist which was consecrated on the 18 July, 1843 and built on land given for the purpose by Sir Richard Godin Simeon. This land, before the building of the church, had hot houses on it and was originally part of the adjoining Troublefield Farm.
The first plans were produced in 1841 and work began in the following year. The architect was Thomas Hillyer of Ryde and it was built by the local firm of Charles Langdon & Co. for £1,630 19s 2d, the money coming from private subscriptions. It was originally smaller than it is now with certain structural differences such as the position of the main door which, although still on the north side of the church, was about half-way along the nave.
The first plans were produced in 1841 and work began in the following year. The architect was Thomas Hillyer of Ryde and it was built by the local firm of Charles Langdon & Co. for £1,630 19s 2d, the money coming from private subscriptions. It was originally smaller than it is now with certain structural differences such as the position of the main door which, although still on the north side of the church, was about half-way along the nave.
The St. John's graveyard is situated some distance away near Westridge Cross.
The St. John's graveyard is situated some distance away near Westridge Cross.
More recently three more buildings have appeared during the life of St. John's as a school. The first was the Practical Block, which consists of two storeys and was built in 1951. It is now the base for third year pupils. The next was the long bungalow block which houses the second year and this was opened in 1966. Lastly came the new block comprising kitchens, hall and classrooms of the present first year. This latest addition was opened at Easter 1970. These buildings reduced the need for the school annexe in Green Street which is now no longer part of Bishop Lovett School. Recent years have seen further additions to the school's buildings.
More recently three more buildings have appeared during the life of St. John's as a school. The first was the Practical Block, which consists of two storeys and was built in 1951. It is now the base for third year pupils. The next was the long bungalow block which houses the second year and this was opened in 1966. Lastly came the new block comprising kitchens, hall and classrooms of the present first year. This latest addition was opened at Easter 1970. These buildings reduced the need for the school annexe in Green Street which is now no longer part of Bishop Lovett School. Recent years have seen further additions to the school's buildings.
Today the original estate although containing Oakfield, Elmfield and numerous private houses is still a unit, although now an electoral one, being the main part of an electoral ward known as St. John's.
Today the original estate although containing Oakfield, Elmfield and numerous private houses is still a unit, although now an electoral one, being the main part of an electoral ward known as St. John's.
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