History of Mill Wood Campaign

Halswell Park Trust, Registered Charity No: 1054629. Patron Lady Gass, Lord Lieutenant of Somerset.

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Mill Wood Pleasure Garden Restoration Project History

The Halswell Park estate remained in the Kemeys-Tynte family until 1950 when it was sold and split into a number of ownerships. The garden fell into decline, some of the structures were destroyed and some removed to other locations:, the landscape became a scene of derelict garden buildings and intensive farming practices. By 1985 the local authorities had become increasingly concerned over the ruinous condition of the Temple of Harmony and threatened the owner with a Repairs notice. Publicity in 1993 attracted an offer to buy the temple and re-erect it on the Cricket St Thomas site in Chard.

Galvanised into action by the local community the District Council refused listed building consent for the removal of the temple. A repairs notice was served on the understanding that if the District Council proceeded with a compulsory purchase the Somerset Building Preservation Trust would accept the building, undertake the repair and open it to the public. With the help of grants and loans work eventually got underway in 1995 and the Temple of Harmony was painstakingly repaired, opening to the public in 1996.

The Building Preservation Trust established the Halswell Park Trust (HPT). The HPT was set up to mastermind the restoration of Halswell Park and took into its care the day to day responsibility of the temple.

In 1996 the HPT commissioned Nicholas Pearson Partnership to carry out an historic landscape survey and management plan for the entire Halswell Estate., A second feasibility study on the Aquisition and Restoration of Mill Wood was also produced in 1996. Between 1996 and 2009 the HPT puersued various options with the owners to enable restoration of the garden to take place. Following the threat of a repairs notice in 2009 Mill Wood was placed on the open market and sold to local buyers who hoped to restore and develop the site for their personal use. The new owners undertook clearance of the overgrown areas of the site, removed silt and carried out repairs to the dams enabling the water to run through the site as originally intended. In 2012, unable to take the project forward any further, the owners offered the site to the HPT on a first refusal base at current market value.

Following consultation with English Heritage, Somerset Buildings Preservation Trust, local Parish Councils, Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset County Council and the Somerset Gardens Trust, it was agreed that the Halswell Park Trust should pursue a grant-aided purchase of the site. Sadly, following an extensive awareness campaign during 2012 and 2013, the Mill Wood was sold to an alternative buyer in September 2013.

The Halswell Park Trust hope that they will be able to work with the new owners of Mill Wood to bring about a satisfactory resolution for the heritage at this important part of the registered Halswell Park and Garden, currently remaining on the English Heritage ‘At Risk’ register.

To help with this project, or to find out more, please e-mail annmanders@halswellparktrust.org.uk or telephone 01278 671500.