Westwood design to print

A YEAR AT

WESTWOOD

2 | A YEAR AT WESTWOOD

CONTENTS 6
12
Introduction 18
History 26
The Build 28
Planting Plans
The House Interior 36
74
Winter 126
Spring 174
Summer
Autumn 224

Acknowledgements

Westwood House and Garden constructed 2005 to 2010

Architects Acanthus Ferguson Mann
Landscape Architect Balston Agius
Main Contractor Emery Brothers Ltd.

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4 | A YEAR AT WESTWOOD



INTRODUCTION

The gardens of Westwood, in this part of north Wiltshire, are the most recent and boldest
incarnation imprinted on the landscape. Capturing a point in time, where the gardens
have matured to fulfil the original 2007 design, this book is a legacy of all that has been
achieved since then.

INTRODUCTION | 7

THE VISION TO CREATE a new house and a garden which befits Long before planning was granted, the aim was to maintain and
its status was born on the 7th October 2005, when Terence and Julia save as many of the fruit trees and shrubs from the farmhouse
Mordaunt bought a parcel of land consisting of around 150 acres garden for future planting. One wet wintry day a digger moved all
from the Trotman family. Constituting an unremarkable farmhouse the best specimens to a trench on the south of the house, where
and a collection of post war barns, Westwood Farm was in dire need they continued to grow for the next two years. However, as the
of a new lease of life. With the retirement of the owners, the organic layout of the house and garden progressed from 2008, it became
fruit and vegetable farm ceased trading and slipped into a period clear that this regimental line of shrubs would be in the way of the
of hibernation. Ha-Ha which was needed to keep the garden safe from the beautiful
but ravaging deer, as well as the cows which would share the fields
As experts were consulted, plans drawn up and all manner below. On yet another, slightly drier wintry day, the digger was
of reports commissioned to satisfy every possible planning employed again to move them all to their second holding trench,
consideration, the fruit trees continued their cycle of life, the to the west of the house, higher up the hill. With a stoic dignity,
wildlife roamed more freely and of course the weeds laid claim to the old shrubs and trees grew on for another two years, until they
this windswept hill.

8 | A YEAR AT WESTWOOD

were finally moved a third time to their designated places in 2010. filled with colourful plants. At one point, an exotic border, filled
Many breathed a sigh of relief and finally put on a growth spurt, with hot orange, red and yellow plants was suggested below the
some sulked for a year or two and a small number decided that three main terrace, but it was felt that this would detract from the hazy
moves had all been a bit too much for their old bones. Today, it is colours of the views in the distance, and so a more muted palette
impossible to tell from a glance which are the original plants and of blues, mauves and whites was chosen instead. At the heart of the
which are new, as all have grown into their space within the garden. garden the fall of the land leant itself to the creation of the cutting
edge water garden, generating different sounds on its journey down
Plans for the house and the garden were created simultaneously, to the circular pool.
and ground works to sculpt the landscape and the house’s
foundations began in 2007. The design ethos was simple: to create Specialist labour contractors and materials were sourced as locally
an English garden, with roses and colour, that made the most of the as possible, thereby adhering to the Arts and Crafts principles.
views down to Box and beyond, and to include a large vegetable
garden. Michael Balston and Associates drew up designs which Intensive planting of the new gardens was carried out in the spring
included many levels of terracing and extravagantly wide borders of 2009 by Hillier Landscapes of Bristol. However even before they
had begun to flower, the herbaceous plants were competing with

INTRODUCTION | 9

the weeds which had had the garden to themselves for four years. It unsuccessful re-plantings, it was agreed that Westwood was not its
took some major work and another two years before the weeds were natural home.
tamed. In retrospect they may actually have been quite beneficial
in those first years, providing shelter to the often smaller, and more The following year work began on the vegetable garden, to the
delicately designed planting as it battled against the winds. north west of the house. Its oval design surrounding a central
pool was intended to be large enough to support the house if
In fact, the first winter was one of the harshest on record, with necessary. To prevent the winds whipping up the valley, a shelter
local flooding in November followed by snow in December. During belt of yews was planted, which within three years was ably doing
January the temperature rarely reached above freezing. its job. The first crops and flowers for the house were harvested
just a few months later in the summer of 2010. At the same time,
Not surprisingly about twenty-five percent of the plants did not the all-important Bothy was built. This name probably derives
survive that winter. Many were replanted according to the plans, from a Gaelic word for hut and was commonly used to describe a
where the exact specimens were available and went on to survive gardener’s shed. Housing the requisite tools and machinery, as well
and thrive. All but one; the too-tender Rock Rose, a plant that as a wood-burning stove, it provides a cosy place for a cuppa on a
Terence had always been keen to grow. However, after several

10 | A YEAR AT WESTWOOD

cold day. It is also the repository of all the archive material; diaries, until the plants were able to fend for themselves. In addition, every
plans and planting records that tell the story of the evolution of other winter many tons of mulch were incorporated into the borders
this garden. In the same year, the foundations for the greenhouse to improve the soil.
were dug, but it would be another year before this was completed.
Until then, a poly-tunnel had to suffice for seed sowings. The local Over the years, parcels of land have been added to the estate and
mice thought this was an excellent arrangement and feasted well the whole now comprises just over 350 acres. Ranch House was
that winter! bought in March 2008, and in September of the same year, land at
Sidney Farm was purchased. Compared to the landscape encircling
Westwood’s lofty position means it is exposed to all the elements. it, the new four acre formal gardens are in their infancy, but just
Seasons here can often be up to three weeks later than in a more eleven years on, they have defied all extremes of weather and grown
sheltered position down in the valley. The free-draining brash into their space, uniting the house with its surroundings. Sixteen
on which it sits is frequently baked by the sun, but also strafed years after the germ of the idea began, this book is a record in time
by the winds, thereby starving and desiccating the plants in turn. of all the ideas, designs, creativity, hard work and a few happy
Therefore, an irrigation system was essential for the first three years accidents in the garden and landscape at Westwood. J

INTRODUCTION | 11

HISTORY

The current gardens at Westwood are the grandest and most designed in its history. But
the surrounding landscape, and now the extensive vegetable gardens, both echo the
agricultural and productive nature of this area.

h istory | 1 3

WESTWOOD LIES WITHIN the parish of Colerne, called Lying in a key position, just off the Fosse Way Roman Road
Cullerne in the Domesday book and part of the Chippenham and close to the Three Shire Stones, where the counties of
hundred. The name probably originated from ‘col’, a Celtic word Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire meet, Westwood and
meaning peak and ‘erne’, the Anglo Saxon word for dwelling. the surrounding area has been settled since pre-Roman times.
Colerne Manor, of which the Westwood and its environs were part Archaeological remains, including flint tools, human bones,
of, was mentioned in the Domesday book. brooches, querns for grinding grain crops, arrowheads, axes and
coins have been found at many sites nearby such as Box House
It is the lozenge-shaped wooded area, lying to the east below the garden, Alcombe Manor, Hazelbury, Lucknam Park and Colerne
orchard, which has given the house, and the former farm its name. Park but none actually on the site of Westwood House. Some
It is classed as ancient woodland, extant from at least 1600 and remains date from as early as Mesolithic times, with other evidence
largely unchanged throughout. It is one of many ancient and semi- of barrows and tumuli during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages,
natural woodlands which dot the 350 acre estate landscape: Draught the early Iron Age as well as the Roman era.
Wood; Breach Wood, Ryder’s Wood and Stowell Wood.

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The Romans considered the area perfectly suited for settling as these lands, thus creating revenue from the timber and sheep’s wool
there was no need to clear trees but yet there was plenty of timber and the subsequent weaving and dyeing. He eventually gifted the
and stone available with locally dug quarries. In addition, the soil land to the New College, Oxford, who tenanted it for the next five
was fertile and there were many springs. To this end, at least three hundred years.
substantial Roman villas were built around Colerne all of which
would have had adjoining gardens and possibly also vineyards. Leases during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries provide
clues as to the value and use of the land. In 1666, the six acres of
Agricultural life continued in the Anglo Saxon era, when coppice at Westwood were leased to Anthony Drewett for the rent
Westwood would have formed part of the manor of Colerne, due of: “two shillings and one bushel and a half a peck of good
tenanted by Humphrey de Lisle. The lower, flatter slopes would have reasonable sweet and clean malt”, whilst in 1729, another lease
been cultivated and the steeper slopes left for grazing. Shortly after details “woods, coppices and groves to include the underwood.”
this William of Colerne, the Abbot of Malmesbury, an enthusiastic The underwood comprised the smaller ground-lying pieces and
champion of agricultural methods, owned and improved all of brush, particularly suited to domestic fuel use. Another lease in 1771

h istory | 1 5

listed “The whole leased is one hundred and seventy nine acres of enacted Enclosure Act in 1773 necessitated the creation of the Tithe
wood ground together with the underwood and Mast and all and maps, the first of which in this area was in 1787 and which shows a
singular other profits of the said promises and hunting, hawking, series of buildings adjacent to the Westwood. The accompanying
fishing and fowling …. Timber trees as Oak, Ash, Elm and Beech … tithe schedule lists these as “Lot 423 – Westwood Farm – house,
and other timbers to fell, cut down, take and carry away the same.” garden, buildings etc.”, and the surrounding land, some with slightly
One can see that the lease of the woodland and the right to use all different names, were a mix of arable, pasture, rough pasture, wood
aspects of it, including the “mast” which refers to the acorns and and ground. In addition it was noted that some of the surrounding
beech nuts, was a valuable and sought after right. areas were cultivated as vineyards, continuing the tradition that the
Romans may have started.
The earliest map showing the Westwood is from 1626 but at this
time no dwelling is indicated. By 1773, Andrews and Dury map Life continued in this way in the hills and valleys around
depicts the Westwood as stretching an arm as far as the Fosse Westwood until 1836 when the impressive 1.83 mile long Box
Way, as well as naming the Licktum Well (now called the Lictum tunnel was built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and five years later
Spring) indicating its importance as a source of fresh water. The first Box Station was opened on the line between Bristol and London.

16 | A YEAR AT WESTWOOD

This reduced the fortunes of the twenty or so wool mills along the of the wooded knoll to a small swing gate which gives access to a
Bybrook valley, some of which converted to paper production, delightful wood, watered by a hurrying little stream so crystal clear
thereby increasing the revenue from wood. that its rocky bed is seen.

In 1860, Westwood Farm, along with Colerne Manor Farm and The next sale came in 1941, when it was bought by the Trotman
Mortimers’ Estates, was sold by the auctioneers Bartrum of Bath, family. The sale particulars described:
on behalf of New College. However, it later appeared that an agent
acting on the College’s behalf had repurchased it, for the sum of Freehold Dairy and Mixed Holding, with comfortable farm
£3,000 for Lot 1, Westwood Farm. Tenanted by Edwin Aust, it house, good range of outbuildings, well-watered pasture lands
consisted of seventeen parcels of land totalling 150 acres, 0 rods and and productive arable and woodland, the whole containing an
5 perches with some recognisable and amusing names of: Under area of 136.198 acres, also two very pleasing bungalow residences
Breach, The Hanging, Great Hayes, Little Hayes, Home Meadow, with pasture and woodlands. There is a well with pump at back
Six Acres, West Wood, West Ground, Comical Tyning, Occupation door. Outbuildings pig styes, large poultry house, modern cow
Roadway, Bussom’s Leigh and the main area around the Farm- house to tie 21, 4 stall stable. Healthy pasture and arable lands and
House, Cottage, Yards, Barn and Buildings. woodlands are all together in a ring fence, the Pastures being well-
watered and the arable level, easy working and productive.
These buildings were clearly shown on the first edition of the
Ordnance Survey map of 1889, along with the name of a property to Aerial photographs of the mid twentieth century show a productive
the north of the Colerne Road, The Vineyard, which gives credence working farm using increased mechanisation. Westwood itself,
to the earlier reports of grape growing on these south facing slopes. quite sparse in 1945 had been replanted by the late 1960s. The faint
lines of an oil pipeline constructed in the 1940s running across
Prior to the creation of the National Parks and Access to the the land south east to north west can also be seen, and predate
Countryside Act 1949, a network of footpaths criss-crossed the land the current pipeline which was laid in 1982. Ironically, this line
around Westwood. Originally these would have been for local access runs from the refinery at Southampton to Esso’s storage depot at
to fields and woods, but during the twentieth century, the concept of Avonmouth Docks, which were purchased by Terence Mordaunt
walking for leisure took hold. A local walking guide of 1937 directs with Portbury Docks in 1991. In the latter part of the century,
one from Colerne to Ditteridge Road, via Vineyards and returning the farm increased the number of poly-tunnels for vegetable
via Westwood and Sidney Farms. The detailed description gives an production and gained organic status. Around the house, the
illustration of the landscape at the time: gardens were planted up with fruit trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants
as well as over forty rhubarb crowns.
…Keep to the left of the Westwood farm building to another large
gate, which leads to a fine grassy down. Pass through this and be The latest chapter of Westwood’s story echoes the rights of the
careful to fasten it with the somewhat difficult method provided, eighteenth-century leases and the Mordaunts are free to enjoy the
and avoiding the clear cut track ahead, make for the left hand “hunting, hawking,, fishing and fowling …. Timber trees as Oak,
wooded edge, and follow the line of this to a wicket gate. Pass Ash, Elm and Beech … and other timbers to fell, cut down, take and
through this and turn right and then make for the hedge at the carry away.” In a modern twist to the story of the value of wood, the
bottom of the steep slope. Arriving there, continue in the same house is run on a bio-mass boiler, which is entirely fed from wood
direction keeping close to the wooded boundary and presently note felled on the estate. J
the row of fine beeches and then a gate straight ahead, through
which turn left, cross the little brooklet and follow around the base

h istory | 1 7

THE BUILD

Bristol architects Ferguson Mann were tasked with designing a new house in the
classical style. George Ferguson worked with John Weir, a member of his team who
eventually took over much of the detailed design work. They in turn collaborated with
Michael Balston and Associates who designed the formal garden layout.

THE BUILD | 19

MANY STRUCTURAL YEW HEDGES and shapes formed the a cellar where water could pool, providing the damp atmosphere
basis of the planting criteria to create year round interest as well as that bats like. Designed to look like a Cotswold dovecote, the bats
shelter for the herbaceous plants. Michael was ably assisted by Keith happily took up residence in what became known as their spa hotel.
Pocock who introduced many interesting and unusual, but hard-
working plants to the designs, including the avenue of cherry trees Ground works for the house and profiling of the garden areas
(Prunus ‘Shimizu-zakura’). Finally, Emery Brothers of Bath were began in July 2007, carried out by M. J. Church. At the same time
assigned as the primary contractor, overseeing a two year build. a small village of porta-cabins and car parking areas sprang up on
the northern side of the drive. This would accommodate the offices,
One of the stipulations of any planning was that a new structure, storage and rest areas for the 150 people who would work on the site,
solely for the local bat population, would need to be built before either employed directly by Emery’s or as sub-contractors.
any other buildings could be demolished. So whilst planning was
being sought for the house, Marshfield Builders began work in 2006 Many craftspeople were employed in the construction of the
on the Bat House located on the north side of the drive. The Bat house and garden, and where possible, they and the materials
conservation group requested that it be two storeys high and have used were sourced locally. Emery employed many workmen
and also constructed the timber roof structures as well as

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THE BUILD | 21

the oak and stainless steel trusses above the swimming pool. built all the garden walling; architectural metalwork items were
David Blackman project managed the build and oversaw other made and fitted by Ironart of Bath; estates fencing and deer
contractors including: Clifford Construction of Midsomer Norton fencing was by Cotswold Decorative Iron Workers of Stourton,
for the concrete work; steelwork by Robbin Engineering of Warwickshire; the garden plants were supplied by and planted by
Keynsham; specialist joinery of doors and windows by Kingerlee Hillier Landscapes of Bristol and the water garden installed and
Joinery of Oxford; the pool glazing from Fineline Aluminium of maintained by Fountains Direct.
Weston-Super-Mare; Cotswold Stone roofing was supplied from
Knockdown Quarry near Tetbury who also supplied the stone During the two years of the build over 9500 cubic metres of soil
for the water garden; roofing was installed by Youngs Roof of were excavated and remodelled to form the terraces and landscaping
Bath; stonework to elevations, including carving the capitals on around the house. For the house 700 cubic metres of concrete were
the Corinthian columns by the front door, was supplied by Quarry used along with 900 square metres of new Ashlar Bathstone. In the
Stone Masons of Bath and laid by Future Stone of Bath who also gardens 700 square metres of rubble walls were built, and just over
half a kilometre of coping stone used to cap it all off.

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Works were completed in July 2009 and Terence and Julia moved
in that same month. But things didn’t stay quiet for long, as in
March 2010 works began on laying out the large kitchen garden to
the west of the house. The oval design, adapted from the original
spiral, included creating raised beds, building the bothy and the
central fountain as well as preparations for the greenhouse which
was installed in early 2012. In June, just as the kitchen garden was
ready for its first seedlings, Terence and Julia held a garden party
as a thank you for everyone who had worked on the house and
gardens. On a blue-skied afternoon, over eighty people enjoyed
Westwood at its best, taking in the views from the lush green lawns
and basking in the summer sunshine. J

THE BUILD | 23

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THE BUILD | 25

LANDSCAPE PLAN

26 | A YEAR AT WESTWOOD

ORIGINAL PLANTING CRITERIA

ori g inal p lantin g criteria | 2 7

THE HOUSE INTERIOR

The ground floor with its enfilade of connecting rooms leading the eye along the formal
axis, is naturally lit by windows on both the north and south façades. These frame the
views out to the garden until the bay window in the drawing room gives out to the water
garden and main lawn. At the opposite end of the house the infinity pool looks towards
the church of St. John the Baptist in Colerne and out to the walled garden with the oak
belvedere by Rory Millar.

t h e h ouse interior | 2 9

JULIA’S STYLE COMBINED classical elements with a light and carved oak leaf cushion moulds over the doors, all of these were
fresh approach to compliment existing furnishings. Incorporating crafted by Shellard Winter of Frome. Kingerlee Joinery made all the
designs by John Weir, the process involved many local makers doors of tulip wood, the windows of Iroko.
and craftspeople.
Carved motifs, often with a maritime theme reflecting Terence’s
From the entrance hall with its oak panelling, which was made heritage, can be seen on the fireplaces in the drawing and dining
and fitted by St. Blaise, rises the gently curving staircase, also of oak rooms, made by Spencer & Richman of Somerton. This subject
with carved details constructed by Ray Coggins of Wooley Grange. continues with the cushion moulds and upstairs balcony, which
Above this, a large oval plaster floral swag, by Hales and Howe of frame the views at the top of the stairs. The arrangement of
Bristol, decorates the galleried landing. Further plaster work, of these subtle details, along with the curved Roman pediment and
ceiling roses and cornices were made by Artistic Plastercraft. Corinthian columns framing the front door, unite this twenty-first
century Neoclassical house. J
In the dining room the painted panels are made of Tulip wood,
a soft wood, sometimes known as yellow Poplar. Along with the

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t h e h ouse interior | 3 5

WINTER

As the garden goes into hibernation, blanketed with a nutritious layer of mulch by the
gardeners, the focus shifts to the wider landscape. The undulations of the hills take on
a sculptural quality under a film of frost and the silhouettes of the trees against the sky
create an ever changing landscape painting as the clouds ramble across the horizon.

winter | 3 7

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WINTER LIGHT CAN BE almost monochrome, but the clear barns within the wood and eventually used in the biomass boiler
gleam of sun turns the beech trees gold, and as the mist burns off in the house.
it reveals the colours of the landscape: the rich greens of the grassy
slopes and the mosses on the trees. After Christmas, in sheltered Elms, once so prolific in the West country that they were known
parts of the woods, the catkins of the hazels begin to explode. Once as ‘Wiltshire Weeds’ have mostly succumbed to Dutch elm disease
known as Lamb’s tails, their sulphurous yellow tassels appear to be caused by the fungus Ophiostoma in the 1970s and 1980s. However,
dusted in lemon sherbet. A more golden yellow haze is given off by just a couple of the original trees still survive around the perimeter
the alder trees in the damper parts of the valley. of the landscape, and now more elms have been planted, raised as
seedlings supposedly resistant to the disease.
Winter work is predominantly in the woodland, clearing scrub
and cutting old or congested trees. The wood is then hauled up Sycamores seed around the woodland, but are not one of our
to be stacked to dry on the gantry beside the Westwood. The native trees, having been introduced around 1500. This setting, as
following year, when dry enough, it is chipped and stored in the opposed to the garden, is perfect for them, where they can drop
their mucilaginous leaves all over the woodland floor without

winter | 3 9

spoiling any garden planting, and the wood burns hot and so is affording many different drives across the various fields, unmarked
excellent as firewood. by land boundaries.

To reinvigorate the woodland, a programme of winter tree planting But fragrance is key to the wildlife in these months, and various
began in 2010, with fifteen oak, five horse chestnut, fifteen beech, shrubs such as the Viburnum tinus by the lower gate, and the white
five bird cherry, five sweet chestnut, four apple ‘Beauty of Bath’ (in stars of Osmanthus burkwoodii exude a heady perfume attracting
the orchard), three beech by the bat house, and a mixture along the early bees.
boundary with the Colerne Road. Every winter for the next five years
about another fifty trees were added, planted for the next generations. Like a stage set, waiting for the action to begin, the garden in
Many of these can be spotted in the landscape, encircled by metal tree winter appears to be holding its breath, disturbed occasionally by
guards to protect them from the grazing stock and deer. the odd flurry of activity of a wandering pheasant, the clatter of
pigeon wings or the bark of a dog ringing out. As Mirabelle Osler
Once a month the landscape rings out with the sounds of the wrote “Green thoughts emerge from some deep source of stillness
shoot, a syndicate made up of landowners and neighbours, thus which the very fact of winter has released.”

40 | A YEAR AT WESTWOOD

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