Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The Commissioner's Garden, to the rear of what is now Medway House (formerly the Comissioner's House). A terraced garden probably laid out in the 17th century, with some 18th century alterations and a small 19th century expansion. There is an ice house in the south-east corner of the garden.

Monument Types

• ICEHOUSE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• DUTCH GARDEN (Altered 1714?, Post Medieval - 1698 AD? to 1714 AD? (at some time))
• WALLED GARDEN (Post Medieval - 1698 AD? to 1698 AD (post))

Full description

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The garden to the rear of the Commissioner's House consists of three terraces laid out in the 17th century. The lower terrace has water features dating to this period. The middle terrace was laid out as a formal garden in the early 18th century. There is an ice house in the south east corner of the garden (1).

Excavations in the embankment above the lower terrace in the grounds of the Commissioner's House (TQ 76 NE 131) Garden in 1993 (2). A number of features were recorded which indicate that at least two designs for the stairs were executed and at least five phases of activity are represented. Little decorative material was recovered, evidence indicated that the stairs were 2 metres wide with a supporting wall.

Garden phases: Phase 1 c1698. Garden existed in a formal Anglo-Dutch style. One set of central steps decending from the middle to lower terrace. The canal and fountain were present.

Phase 2. c.1714. Garden laid out in a simple style. Central steps present but redesigned. The canals had been removed, but the fountain remained.

Phase 3. 1755. The central steps remain, but the canals and fountains have gone.

Phase 4. 1773. The central steps have been removed, and side steps installed.(1)

<1> Kent County Council, 1993, The Commissioner's garden: an historic garden restoration project at the historic dockyard, Chatham (Unpublished document). SKE15829.

<2> Lesley Howes, Archaeological Services, 1993, Commissioners Garden, Chatham Dockyard - Excavation Prior to Restoration 1993 (Unpublished document). SWX6891.

<3> Chatham world Heritage, 2011, Chatham Dockyard and its Defences: World Heritage Site Management Plan (Unpublished document). SKE29452.

Sources and further reading

Related records