WESTWOOD—one of the very finest, most perfect, and most interesting of the Elizabethan mansions that yet remain in England—lies about two miles from Droitwich, in Worcestershire, and six or seven from the “faithful city.” It stands in its own grand old deer park of some hundreds of acres in extent, and studded with such an assemblage of noble forest trees as is seldom seen. The oaks with which the park abounds are almost matchless for their beautiful forms and for their clean growth (for they are clear from moss or other extraneous growth from bole to crest), as well as, in some instances, for their gigantic stature. One of these “brave old oaks” in front of the mansion we had the curiosity to measure, and found it to be no less than eighteen yards in circumference of bole on the ground, and thirty-one feet in circumference at three feet from the earth, with a stem hollowed by time. It is one of the lions of the place, and looks venerable and time-worn enough to have braved the tempests of a thousand years. Another oak, not far from this, is one of the finest in England, having a clear trunk, without bend or branch, “straight as a mast,” to some forty feet or more in height before a single branch appears.
Entrance Lodge.
There are two Entrance Lodges to the park from the road leading from Droitwich to Ombersley; the principal of these we engrave. Entering the gates at this Lodge, the drive leads up the park to the mansion, which forms a conspicuous and striking object in front, the house and its surroundings being effectively situated on rising ground. Immediately in front of the mansion is the Gatehouse, one of the most quaintly picturesque in the kingdom. It consists of twin lodges of red brick, with ornamental gables and hip-knobs, with a central open-spired turret covering the entrance gates. The gates, which are of iron, and bear the monogram J P (for John Pakington), are surmounted by an open-work parapet, or frieze, of stone, in which stand clear the three garbs and the three mullets of the Pakington arms. Over this rises the open tower before spoken of. Passing through these gates, the drive sweeps up between the smooth grass lawns to the slightly advanced front portico which gives access to the mansion.
Westwood, from the Main Approach.
Before we enter let us say a few words on the general design and appearance of this unique and remarkable building. The general block-plan of the house may be described as a combination of the square and saltire, the arms of the saltire projecting considerably from the angles of the square, and forming what may almost be called wings, radiating from its centre—the whole of the surface of this general block-plan being cut up with numberless projecting mullioned windows. The four projecting wings, which, like the rest of the building, are three stories in height, are each surmounted with a spire. Around the whole building runs a boldly carved stone parapet, bearing the garbs and mullets of the Pakington arms, alternating the one with the other, and producing a striking and pleasing effect, while the mullets also appear on the ornamental gables, and on the vanes and hip-knobs. The advanced porch, erected at a later period, is of stone, and is in the Renaissance style; over its central arch is Jove on the eagle; and in front of the main building, over the porch, are the Pakington arms boldly carved.
Standing clear from the mansion, and at some distance in front of the north-east and south-east wings, are two so-called “turrets.” These are small residences, if they may so be termed, each three stories in height, and each having two entrance doors. They are surmounted with picturesquely formed spire roofs, covered with scale slating. Originally there were four of these square towers—the two now remaining, and two other corresponding ones at the opposite angles. They were all four in existence in 1775, but two have since been removed. At that time they were connected with the wings by walls, and then again were connected with the Gatehouse and other walls in a peculiar and geometrically formed device. A highly interesting and curious bird’s-eye view of Westwood, drawn by Dorothy Anne Pakington in the year above named, is preserved in the Hall, and shows the arrangement of the ornamental flower-beds, terraces, fruit walls, &c., with great accuracy.
From the Gatehouse, on either side, an excellent fence of pillar and rail encloses in a ring fence the mansion and its surrounding ornamental grounds, and kitchen and other gardens. These pleasure-grounds, several acres in extent, are admirably laid out, and planted with evergreens of remarkably fine growth. The hedges, or rather massive walls, of laurel, box, Portugal laurel, and other shrubs; the grand assemblage of conifers, which here seem to find a genial home, and to grow with unequalled luxuriance; and the cedars of Lebanon, yews, and numberless other evergreens, form these grounds into one of the most lovely winter gardens we have ever visited. Among the main features of these ornamental grounds are the “Ladies’ Garden,” a retired spot enclosed in walls of evergreens seven or eight feet in height, having on one side an elegant summer-house, which commands a beautiful view of the Malvern Hills and of the rich intervening country, and in the centre a sundial surrounded by a rosary and beds of rich flowers; and the Lavender Walk, where, between a long avenue of tall lavender-bushes, planted by the present Lady Hampton, the elegant and accomplished successors of the “stately dames of yore” can stroll about and enjoy the delicious scent. Another great feature is the splendid growth of some of the trees—notably a Wellingtonia, nine feet in girth at the ground, and fully thirty feet in height, and a magnificent specimen of Picea pinsapo, measuring ninety feet in circumference of its branches, and said truly to be the finest and most perfectly-grown tree of the kind in the kingdom. The kitchen gardens are of considerable extent, and well arranged, but there is no conservatory. Altogether the ornamental grounds are of great beauty, and harmonize well with the character of the building.