(Photo: North London Collegiate School)
More photos
Open:
Saturday 13:00–17:00
Description:
North London Collegiate School occupies the site of the magnificent palace and grounds of Canons, home of James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos (1674-1744). (See also Canons Park – George V Memorial Garden and St Lawrence, Little Stanmore, Whitchurch).
James Brydges employed Richard Bradley and Tilleman Bobart as garden designers. Dr Desaguiliers designed water features, including canals, lakes and fountains. The resulting spectacular garden was much admired by the duke's contemporaries. Daniel Defoe considered it magnificent, especially the diagonal avenues. Alexander Pope thought it the epitome of bad taste and unnecessary extravagance.
On Brydges's death, Canons was demolished and the materials auctioned for architectural salvage. William Hallett, a cabinet-maker and gentleman, purchased the site and remaining materials and built the present house from white Portland stone. Hallett consulted Humphry Repton on the creation of an idealised landscape, though he retained Brydges' original layout.
Arts and Crafts architect C.E. Mallows designed much of the present garden for owner, Arthur du Cros, circa 1912. He created architectural gardens to the north and south of the house using some of the Portland stone from James Brydges's palace. The garden to the south is still largely intact, as are the beautiful herbaceous border and walkway running the full length of the house. The gardens at Canons were considered to be among the greatest of the Edwardian era, and Mallows influenced, and was influenced by, the well-known Edwardian garden designer, Gertrude Jekyll. In addition he restyled the present front of the Old House and designed a children’s annexe which no longer survives.
The lime-tree walk to the lake was probably replanted in the early 20th century and trees on Canons Drive were replanted in 1910. The gardens also boast spectacular cedars of Lebanon dating from the early 19th century.
In 1929 North London Collegiate School purchased the house and 10 acres of grounds. The rest of the land went to Harrow Council and became a public park.
Activities:
Short informal talk and film at regular intervals, on the house and the gardens. Refreshments. Canons Trail discovery pack for children, with a certificate for all those taking part. Displays of documents and artefacts. Sampling of historic food. Gardener and other staff available to answer questions. Walk across Canons Park to St Lawrence's Church (see below)
Entrance:
Canons Drive, Edgware (at the end of the drive, next to Canons Park)
Nearest postcode: HA8 7RJ
Sells tickets.
Buses:
32, 79, 107, 113 142, 186, 204, 221, 240, 251, 288, 292, 303, 305
Stations:
Edgware, Canons Park, Stanmore
Car Parking:
Free parking.
Access:
Historic site - certain areas accessible for wheelchairs, a few areas more limited access.
Dogs:
Working assistance dogs only
Further information:
Nearby Gardens (click on names for details):
Last updated: 26/05/2010