1756
Prideaux Place from the East from Dr Borlase’ drawing of
1756
It is now the time of Humphrey Prideaux, son of Edmond
Prideaux.
Finally, refer to the drawing of 1758, made as a result of
Borlase’ tour in 1756. Note the vestiges of the upper terrace, in the form of a
steep bank, below the grassy slope of the Temple. Note the Obelisk has been
moved, the Gatehouse has gone and new lower embattlements and gun emplacements
have been constructed. The Terrace is below the level of the lawned area. The
urns which were on the formal gardens ( as part of the present Deer Park ) are
now at the end of the extended Terrace. The lawned grounds are separated from
the woods by a paling fence. The traceried window over the entrance door may be
artistic licence. Note that there is still no sign of the "Cockpit
wall", the lawn in front of the Terrace is a simple grassy slope. It is
probable that the Cockpit wall was of 1796 or thereabouts, when the access was
formed to the South gate, as was the Dairy face on to the Green Walk. The house
is now fully castellated on the East front, and returned on the South front,
gable ends having been removed. The old formal gardens have been replaced with
"natural" landscapes. What the round building with the flag on the
roof is, is not at all clear – but it must be the old windmill adapted, perhaps
as a dovecote.
Raymond Forward