An historic garden created by one of Bath’s most famous residents is coming up for auction next month.
The land at Beckford Gardens | Photo © Hollis Morgan
Auctioneers Hollis Morgan say they are expecting a lot of interest in the section of historic garden, terraces and walls encircling what was William Beckford’s nursery garden, just north of his house on Lansdown Crescent.
The garden and walls are listed and were built around 1825-1830 with the involvement of architect Henry Edmund Goodridge.
Beckford, a writer and collector, also had a passion for building towers and creating gardens.
The land at Beckford Gardens | Photo © Hollis Morgan
The terraces were used to access his Embattled Gateway, a castellated folly which was the entrance to his ‘picturesque’ style landscape.
Hollis Morgan say Beckford Gardens has a guide price of £90,000. There are two terraces with a pathway leading up from Upper Lansdown Mews.
The auctioneers describe is as “a unique opportunity to acquire a stunning outside space for events or additional garden space for local residents”.
They say: “The gardens would provide an ideal opportunity for a home office or garden room in this most sought-after of locations.”
There may be scope for a “more ambitious residential scheme”, subject to planning consent, they add.
An overhead view of Beckford Gardens | Photo © Hollis Morgan
This week Andrew Morgan MBE, director and auctioneer at Hollis Morgan, told the Echo: “Take the most famous Georgian city in the world, take one of the most prestigious locations in that city and then be able to offer historic walled gardens to the market with terraces and views and you do, indeed, have one of the most perfect auction lots.
“In an age when green spaces are becoming more cherished than some development sites, I expect interest from adjoining neighbours, those seeking solace from the vibrant city centre hubbub or those who may take a long-term view that any green space in a crowded city must certainly prove to be a good investment.
“With a price guide of just £90,000, I expect interest from a plethora of buyers, from green-fingered enthusiasts to those with imaginative minds who will revel in the historic potential of this unique auction lot.”
The online auction is on Wednesday 17th September.
