Coldbrook House, now demolished (nprn 36701), was located to the south-east of Abergavenny. It had medieval origins and its site lies within a small park (700246), a multi-layered landscape beginning as a medieval deerpark and with gardens also originating in the medieval period. The site is notable for the partial remains of terraced gardens (265936). The kitchen garden dates from the second half of the eighteenth century.

The kitchen garden is situated north-west of the house site, between the lake and a stream. The garden became largely derelict but with some traces of its original layout and planting. It is a five-sided irregular rectangle, long axis east-west, wider on the vwest. Its stone walls are faced internally with brick except for the south side which is open to the lake. The east wall is the best preserved with a round-arched doorway in the centre. The north wall has a two-storey brick and stone house against it (now a private house) and nearby a ruined glasshouse. Outside the north wall are some lean-to sheds. Across the middle, running east to west, was a wide grassed-over central path lined with ancient espalier apples (1990s). There are traces of a perimeter path along the inside of the east and north wall (east end), with further espalier apples on its inner side.
Recent air photos show cultivation plots in the eastern half of the garden.

Source:
Cadw 1994: Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales: Gwent, 6-7 (ref: PGW (Gt)30(MON)).
Additional notes: D.K.Leighton.

RCAHMW, 14 June 2022

Site Record

Coldbrook House Kitchen Garden, Abergavenny