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Repton's child
Designed by the man who both coined the term 'Landscape gardening' and established it as a profession, Sheringham Hall's story is a classic 19th century one of wealth, risk, charity and a grand vision that only became fully realised in 1975. |
Later describing it as his "favourite and darling child in Norfolk", Humphry Repton, arguably England's foremost landscape gardener after Capability Brown, was commissioned to design the house and gardens of Sheringham Hall in 1812 by Abbot Upcher. Upcher was introduced to Repton via the latter's son William, solicitor to the previous owner, and had been won over by Repton's highly innovative marketing technique. This was a Red Book: a series of beautiful before-and-after illustrations and overlays, bound in red morocco leather. Another son, architect John Ady Repton, concentrated on the house whilst Humphry, now aged 61 and at the height of his fame, exercised a long-held passion for this particular site. He and Upcher hoped the house would be occupied by 1817. Both, however, had already suffered blows that would see them die long before it eventually became a home, some 22 years later.
Not long before he met Upcher, Repton had been partially crippled in a coaching accident, the injuries and weaknesses from which eventually killed him in 1818. Upcher, meanwhile, had been struck by a fever in 1812 which regularly recurred, so severely in 1819 that he, too, passed away, aged just 35.
Whilst work stopped on the house, Upcher's widow Charlotte and their children continued to live in the old farmhouse at Sheringham Park and became much involved in the local community. Charlotte established and funded two Sunday schools, allotments for the villagers and lent money to enable village fishermen to buy their own boats. In 1838, Charlotte presented Sheringham with its first lifeboat, which was in service for 56 years and saved over 1000 lives. The following year, her newly married son Henry finally moved into Sheringham Hall.
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Adhering faithfully to the Red Book, Henry Upcher and his descendants continued to develop their landscape, creating the glimpses of house and sea that Repton designed to "burst at once on the sight like some enchanted place of a fairytale". Some aspects, however, took longer than others to implement: Repton's plan for a 'temple' overlooking the house, finally came into being in 1975.
Now owned by the National Trust, a long lease on Sheringham Hall, Norfolk, is being offered by our Norwich office at a guide price of £2.35 million.
Repton's business card.
The 'carved' letters on the tree read 'H Repton Landscape Gardener, Hare Street, Near Romford, Essex' |
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New Stockbridge office further strengthens our service in the south
Our comprehensive coverage, via 42 offices country wide now includes a new office in Stockbridge, Hampshire. Overseen by the highly experienced Philip Blanchard, director at JSS Winchester, the Stockbridge office complements our strong regional and national network. Philip can be contacted at Stockbridge on 01264 811430.
Andrew Froude FRICS Chairman |
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