146 



GARDENS OLD AND 



still in their prime, but others giving evidence of their 

 antiquity in their worn and riven crests. Then we reach 

 those splendid wrought-iron gates, with the lofty metal 

 piers, admirable examples, set in a semi-circle of masonry, 

 and so reach the forecourt and the porch, noticing first the 

 exceedingly quaint summer-houses on either side of the gate, 

 which seem to have been added in the time of Queen Anne. 

 Mere Hall is one of the most important houses of the class in 

 Worcestershire, and has a symmetrical character of its own. 

 Its plan is that of the simple manor house, with the "great 

 hall" in the centre, where were the usual -arrangements of 

 mediaeval times more or less developed, high table, canopy, 

 bay, and fireplace, perhaps with the screen and lobby. On 

 the right is the dining-room, where, we may surmise, were the 

 domestic offices in the old time, and on the left the drawing- 

 room, with the library behind. 



About the year 1828 Mr. Habershon, author of "The 

 Ancient Half-Timbered Houses of England," made considerable 

 alterations and additions here ; but he seems not to have 



for the more intimate character which should be found in the 

 gardenage of ancient timber architecture, we shall probably 

 arrive at the conclusion that simplicity and richness should 

 distinguis'i it. There may well be, as at Mere Hall, fine 

 hammered iron gates as an approach, and there may be 

 enclosed gardens with yew hedges and quaint garden- 

 houses, as at this attractive Worcest. rshire seat, it will be 

 particularly observed that the lawns sweep up to the base 

 of the structure, and that nothing conceals the design. 

 The grass frontage without terrace seems to be usual in 

 the case of houses of this class, as may be seen in the Lan 

 cashire examples. The situation of Mere Hall is typical of 

 that of most such buildings, being level and grassy. Terracing 

 would, indeed, have been out of place, and the simple effect 

 is perfectly good without it. Flowers in abundance are invited 

 to reveal their charms, and there are many very fine evergreen 

 bushes, which add to the winter beauty of the place. The 

 broad grouping of the antique mansion, with its lawn gardens 

 and trees, as seen from the pond, is admirable. 



AN OLD GARDEN-HOUSK. 



changed the main plan, while extending the structure behind 

 the dining-room, where now are the kitchens and offi.x's. His 

 account of it is interesting. The place, as he says, is in 

 Hanbury parish, and it lies about three miles from Droitwich, 

 on the Alcester road, and has been in the possession of the 

 family of its present owner for many generations. The hill 

 behind is lofty and covered with wood, and forms a fine back- 

 ground to the structure, besides shekering the garden. The 

 date 1335 is roughly carved on an upper beam between two 

 bedroom windows, and it has been suggested that this 

 may be a mistake for 1535. The date, however, is plain, 

 and it is known that the house was built by 'I homas 

 Bearcroft of the time, and the edifice has an early simplicity. 

 Our pictures will show how a more modern hand 

 could it have been that of Mr. Habershon ? has substituted 

 sashes of "carpenter's gothic" for the od mulliont-d and 

 leaded windows. 



It will now be asked what kind of garden should lie about 

 such a picturesque house as this. The grand avenue of < Ims 

 woulJ be appropriate to any stately mansion, but if we look 



Obviously, where houses are built of timber and plaster, 

 th. j re should be some reluctance to allow green things to cling 

 too closely. This rule appears to have been applied at Mere 

 Hall, where o.ily on the chimney-sta ks are climbers suffere 1 

 to intrude. There is much attraction and beauty in the garden 

 that will please every taste, and the brick garden walls 

 are richly festooned with flowering pl.mts. 



Such things will be appreciated from our pictures, and 

 further description would be superfluous. One very great charm 

 of the p ace is the broad sweep of the park that surrounds it, 

 gaining greatly in its nob.lity from the truly splendid trees 

 that flourish in that deep soil. The fish-ponJ was a common 

 feature in the old gardens of such houses as this, anJ the 

 large expanse of water which we depict is perhaps the 

 survival of that mere which doubtless gave name to the 

 place. It may be added that the gardens are maintained 

 in that state of perfection which is the final charm of all 

 good gardens. Mere Hall is an attractive addition to our 

 series of garden pictures, standing amid truiy beautiiul 

 surroundings. 



