Later Georgian Cobham, 1787-1835 |
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Of all the Lords of Cobham Hall, John Bligh, 4th earl of Darnley (1767-1831) was perhaps the most outstanding. He undertook numerous alterations to the house and grounds and was to open Cobham Hall to public visitors for the first time. A new entrance was created on the north side of the north wing, and a new service court and stables built to the east of the house. In conjunction with James Wyatt, Humpry Repton played a vital role in enhancing the picturesque Tudorbethan nature of the house and radically redesigning the Park.
The grounds of Cobham Hall underwent a fundamental overhaul under the 4th Earl. Humphry Repton prepared a Red Book of his proposals for the house and park in 1790, and sought to return the park to a more naturalistic appearance which exploited its magnificent trees. Four of the five radiating avenues were felled, opening up the West Park, and a glade was created around the Mausoleum, exploiting the magnificent views towards the Rivers Medway and Thames. The pleasure grounds were laid out at this time, and garden structures including the Dairy, the Menagerie and the Ionic Temple were put up. The gardens closest to the house underwent more elaborate treatment in accordance with trends in Regency garden design, and the Park was enlarged through the purchase of The Mount and Ashenbank Wood.
By the time of the Earl’s death in 1831, Cobham had attained most of its present form; the 4th Earl had spent freely on his house and park, and on enlarging his estate. His son Edward, 5th Earl of Darnley inherited an estate encumbered with debts, and his brief period as Lord of Cobham -cut short by a fatal tree-felling accident in 1835- saw few changes.
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