Rayners, near Penn
Location/Address
None recorded
Type
Description
Mid to late nineteenth century park, garden and pleasure grounds at Rayners, laid out in the 1840s and 1850s and further extended in the later nineteenth century.
Described by Sheahan as '..about a douzen acres of garden and pleasure ground, beautifully diversified and planted with the choicest shrubs and flowers..' Recent APs show much alteration to the original layout, school buildings have interfered with the layout (B1).
Rayners built in 1847 as a 'Summer house' for Philip Rose, on the site of Rayners Farm. Grounds included an entrace drive and gatehouse, ponds, summerhouse, kitchen garden and plantings of specimen trees. Sold to London County Council in 1920 and subsequently used as a school. Brief history of development of house and gardens at Rayners (B2).
A mid-late C19 Chiltern country house, gardens and park, developed in two major phases for Philip Rose, a local solicitor who was a close business, political and personal associate of the Prime Minister and author Benjamin Disraeli throughout his career. The C19 design makes good use of the Chiltern setting and survives largely intact, including many mature trees, although with some losses to residential development. It is one of a group of C19 villas and country houses located on hillsides
around High Wycombe, developed to take advantage of an elevated position and extensive southerly Chiltern views, including Hughenden Manor, Brands House and Castle Hill House (Wycombe Museum). See report for detail (B3).
Statement of Significance
Asset type
Mid to late nineteenth century park, garden and pleasure grounds at Rayners, laid out in the 1840s and 1850s and further extended in the later nineteenth century.
Date Listed
n/a