Heritage Strategy - Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

stockton-on-Tees <strong>Heritage</strong> <strong>Strategy</strong>
Oxbridge Parish Gardens
• Wynyard Woodlands – large areas of predominantly
plantation woodland in and around Wynyard Park and
Village, extending into Hartlepool Borough and County
Durham.
• Leven Valley woodlands – significant areas of woodland
along the River Leven valley, much of which is identified
as a Local Wildlife Site.
registered historic Parks and Gardens
Wynyard Park - owned by Sir John Hall, is an early
nineteenth century park and lake with formal gardens. A
registered historic parkland, the Wynyard site is substantial,
120 acres including a walled garden and several individual
listed buildings, the Wellington obelisk, and Lion Bridge
which creates the access to the magnificent grade II* Listed
Wynyard Hall.
The crown granted tenancy of the Wynyard Estate in 1230
and it has been in use ever since. Wynyard Hall incorporates
Basselton Beck Valley, Ingleby Barwick
a late 18th century mansion remodelled in 1819-22 and
substantially rebuilt in 1822-30 for the Marquess of
Londonderry. It was not until the tenure of the 3rd
Marquess of Londonderry that the Hall became the talk of
Europe. Lady Frances Anne established herself as the most
glamorous hostess in England.
With typical flamboyance and style the Londonderrys
entertained royalty, prime ministers, foreign dignitaries,
generals, scholars, writers and artists. With a guest list
including Charles Dickens, Disraeli, Sir Robert Peel,
Churchill, King Edward VII, Elizabeth II and the ‘regular’
Duke of Wellington.
The Hall has many rooms of note including the magnificent
entrance hall known as the statue gallery, ballroom, mirror
room and private chapel. In private ownership the Hall has
recently been turned into a hotel and conference/meeting
facility.
Cowpen Bewley Country Park, Billingham
Wynyard Woodland Park
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