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Edward Kemp (landscape architect)

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Grosvenor Park, Chester

Edward Kemp (25 September 1817 – 1 March 1891) was an English landscape architect and an author. Together with Joseph Paxton and Edward Milner, Kemp became one of the leaders in the design of parks and gardens during the mid-Victorian era in England.[1]

Biography

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Kemp was born at Streatham, Surrey (now Lambeth), the son of Charles Kemp, a tailor, and his wife, Ann.[1] Nothing is known about his education or early career.[2] In the 1830s he worked with Edward Milner as a garden apprentice at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire under Joseph Paxton.[1] In 1841 Kemp was living back in Streatham, giving his occupation in the census of that year as "gardener". Around that time he was involved with botanical and gardening publications, including The Gardening Magazine. In August 1843 the Improvement Commissioners of Birkenhead appointed Paxton to plan and construct Birkenhead Park.[2] This was the first park to have been provided in Britain at public expense.[3][4] Paxton appointed Kemp to be superintendent of the park, and Kemp took up this post in September 1843 when he was aged 25. Paxton was responsible for the overall planning and design, while Kemp was involved with the day to day implementation of the plans. By the summer of 1845 Paxton's work was more or less complete, and he recommended to the Commissioners that Kemp be retained as superintendent and to be provided with a residence; this was accepted.[2]

In September 1845 Kemp took leave of absence to marry Sophia, daughter of Henry Bailey who had been park steward and gardener to the Spencer family at Althorp House. When Kemp returned to Birkenhead, his work was not fully occupying his time, and he became involved with planning a residential park estate, Carlett Park, at Eastham in the Wirral. The plans were not realised, and the Commissioners were unhappy that Kemp had become involved in private practice. Birkenhead Park was opened officially in April 1847, and in 1849 the Commissioners decided that a superintendent of parks was no longer required. However Kemp negotiated a settlement that he should work for no salary, but remain in his residence at Italian Lodge plus be given a small plot of land for him to cultivate for his needs. This was agreed, but Kemp had to find sources of income; this was to result in his becoming an author and a landscape gardener.[2]

Kemp's first recorded commission was in 1849 when he designed a rose garden for James Barratt on the grounds of Lymm Hall, Lymm, Cheshire. The following year he worked with the architect Charles Verelst to design the garden at Stanacres (now Thornton Court) in Raby. Also in 1850 came Kemp's first publication, How to Lay Out a Small Garden. Following this came a succession of garden designs and publications. In 1858 a second edition of his book was published (now entitled How to Lay Out a Garden) and, although he was still working for the park, the Commissioners reviewed the agreement to provide him with free accommodation. Kemp then agreed to build a house for himself adjoining the park, and he moved into this house (now 74 Park Road West) in 1860.[2]

Kemp's clients were mainly the newly rich, but he also gained commissions for the designs of parks and cemeteries. These included Flaybrick Hill Cemetery in Birkenhead, Grosvenor Park in Chester, Congleton Park in Congleton, and Queen's Park in Crewe.[2] Kemp's work influenced other garden designers, including Thomas Hayton Mawson, who designed Hanley Park in Stoke-on-Trent.[1] Kemp died at his home in Birkenhead Park in 1891 and was buried in Flaybrick Cemetery.[2] His estate amounted to nearly £10,500 (equivalent to £1,450,000 in 2023).[5][1]

Publications

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Works

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Key to the Grades in the list
Grade Criteria[6]
II*
 Parks and gardens that are particularly important, of more than special interest
II
 Parks and gardens of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them
List of the gardens and other works, locations, year of construction, and notes.
Name and
town or village 		County and
coordinates 		Photograph Date Notes and present state
Birkenhead Park
Birkenhead 		Merseyside
53°23′35″N 3°02′28″W / 53.393°N 3.041°W / 53.393; -3.041 (Birkenhead Park)
—
 1843 For Birkenhead Improvement Commissioners. The park plan was designed by Joseph Paxton and the building was supervised by Kemp. Designated a conservation area in 1977 and declared a Grade I listed landscape by English Heritage in 1995.
Carlett Park
Eastham 		Merseyside
53°19′13″N 2°57′42″W / 53.3202°N 2.9616°W / 53.3202; -2.9616 (Carlett Park)
—
 1846 For William Laird, the 3rd son of shipbuilder William Laird. The park was laid out under Kemp’s supervision.[7] Kemp's landscaping has been incorporated into Eastham Lodge Golf Course.[8]
Lymm Hall
Lymm 		Cheshire
53°22′47″N 2°28′35″W / 53.3798°N 2.4765°W / 53.3798; -2.4765 (Lymm Hall)
—
 1849 This was Kemp's first completed commission, for James Barratt. It consisted of a flower (or rose) garden. Its present condition is unknown.[2][9][10]
Stanacres
Thornton Hough 		Merseyside
53°19′02″N 3°02′01″W / 53.3171°N 3.0337°W / 53.3171; -3.0337 (Stanacres)
—
 1850 Designed for Owen Jones, Liverpool timber merchant. Now Thornton Court. Its present condition is not known.[2][11]
Lytham Hall
Lytham St Annes 		Lancashire
53°44′39″N 2°58′35″W / 53.7442°N 2.9765°W / 53.7442; -2.9765 (Lytham Hall) 		c. 1850 Laid out the drive.[12]
Limegrove
Chester 		Cheshire
53°11′18″N 2°52′49″W / 53.1882°N 2.8803°W / 53.1882; -2.8803 (Limegrove)
—
 1853 Designed for Robert Frost, Chester flour miller, in Lower Park Road, Queen's Park, Chester, next door to Redcliff (now Lindengrove). The present state is not known.[2] Plan and description is in How to Lay Out a Garden (3rd ed.).[13]
Redcliff
Chester 		Cheshire
53°11′18″N 2°52′49″W / 53.1882°N 2.8803°W / 53.1882; -2.8803 (Redcliff)
—
 1853 Designed for Thomas Gibbons Frost, Chester flour miller, in Lower Park Road, Queen's Park, Chester, next door to Limegrove. The present state is not known.[2] Plan and description is in How to Lay Out a Garden (3rd ed.).[14]
Halton Grange
Runcorn 		Cheshire
53°19′59″N 2°43′19″W / 53.3330°N 2.7219°W / 53.3330; -2.7219 (Halton Grange) 		1853–54 Designed for Thomas Johnson, soap and alkali manufacturer of John & Thomas Johnson. Now a public park adjacent to Runcorn Town Hall. Most of the garden as planned by Kemp has been destroyed.[2][15]
Capernwray Hall
Carnforth 		Lancashire
54°08′34″N 2°41′47″W / 54.1427°N 2.6965°W / 54.1427; -2.6965 (Capernwray Hall) 		1855 For the Marton family.[16][17]
Park Place
Frodsham 		Cheshire
53°17′33″N 2°43′48″W / 53.2924°N 2.7300°W / 53.2924; -2.7300 (Park Place)
—
 1855 Commissioned by Joseph Stubs, a manufacturer of engineers' tools in Warrington. The house was later known as Castle Park and the gardens are a public park. The essential elements of Kemp's design are still present.[2][18][19]
Norley Hall
Norley 		Cheshire
53°15′08″N 2°39′14″W / 53.2522°N 2.6540°W / 53.2522; -2.6540 (Norley Hall)
—
 1855–56 For Samuel Woodhouse. Present condition not known.[2]
Mollington Banastre
Mollington 		Cheshire
53°12′59″N 2°55′07″W / 53.2165°N 2.9185°W / 53.2165; -2.9185 (Mollington Banastre)
—
 1856 For Philip Stapleton Humberston, Mayor of Chester and Member of Parliament for Chester. The house is currently a hotel, and at least some of the garden remains.[2][20] Description and partial plan is in How to Lay Out a Garden (3rd ed.).[21]
Agden Hall
Agden 		Cheshire
53°21′55″N 2°25′46″W / 53.3653°N 2.4295°W / 53.3653; -2.4295 (Agden Hall)
—
 c. 1856 For Thomas Sebastian Bazley. No further details known.[2]
Glan Aber
Hough Green,
Chester 		Cheshire
53°10′37″N 2°55′38″W / 53.1770°N 2.9273°W / 53.1770; -2.9273 (Glan Aber)
—
 1857 For Enoch Robert Gibbon Salisbury. Plan and description is in How to Lay Out a Garden (3rd ed.). Shortly after the garden was laid out in 1857 both the house and grounds were enlarged and parts of the garden was re-arranged.[22]
St Helens Cemetery
St Helens 		Merseyside
53°28′02″N 2°45′44″W / 53.4673°N 2.7621°W / 53.4673; -2.7621 (St Helens Cemetery) 		1858 For St Helens Burial Board.[23]
Foxdale
Bunbury 		Cheshire
53°07′06″N 2°38′45″W / 53.1183°N 2.6459°W / 53.1183; -2.6459 (Foxdale)
—
 1860 For William Boulton Aspinall. Plan and description is in How to Lay Out a Garden (3rd ed.).[24]
Birkdale Park
Birkdale 		Merseyside
53°38′27″N 3°01′01″W / 53.640877°N 3.016938°W / 53.640877; -3.016938 (Birkdale Park)
—
 1860 For Thomas Weld Blundell. Residential suburb containing villas set in their own grounds. Many elements survive.[8] Designated as a conservation area in 2000.[25]
Waterloo House
Runcorn 		Cheshire
53°20′32″N 2°44′15″W / 53.3422°N 2.7376°W / 53.3422; -2.7376 (Waterloo House) 		1860 For Charles Hazlehurst, soap and alkali manufacturer of Hazlehurst & Sons. Now built up.[2] Plan and description is in How to Lay Out a Garden (3rd ed.).[26]
Anfield Cemetery
Liverpool 		Merseyside
53°26′20″N 2°57′29″W / 53.439°N 2.958°W / 53.439; -2.958 (Anfield Cemetery) 		1863 For Liverpool Burial Board. Still functioning as a cemetery.[2][27][28] It is listed Grade II*.[29] It is on the Heritage at Risk Register.[30]
Pyrgo Park
Havering-atte-Bower 		Greater London
51°37′10″N 0°11′56″W / 51.6195°N 0.1990°W / 51.6195; -0.1990 (Pyrgo Park)
1863 For Joseph Bray. Now a public park.[31]
Flaybrick Cemetery
Birkenhead 		Merseyside
53°24′00″N 3°03′54″W / 53.400°N 3.065°W / 53.400; -3.065 (Flaybrick Cemetery)
1864 For Birkenhead's Improvement Commissioners. Still functioning as a cemetery.[2][32][33] It is listed Grade II*.[34]
Southport Cemetery
Southport 		Merseyside
53°38′06″N 2°59′52″W / 53.6351°N 2.9978°W / 53.6351; -2.9978 (Southport Cemetery) 		1865 Still in use as a cemetery.[35]
Grosvenor Park Chester Cheshire
53°11′26″N 2°52′53″W / 53.1905°N 2.8815°W / 53.1905; -2.8815 (Grosvenor Park, Chester) 		1867 The land and the design of the park were paid for by Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster. Still open as a public park. It is listed Grade II.[2][36][37][38]
Newsham Park
Liverpool 		Merseyside
53°25′08″N 2°56′24″W / 53.419°N 2.940°W / 53.419; -2.940 (Newsham Park) 		1868 Designed for the Liverpool Improvement Committee. It continues in use as a public park and had been designated Grade II.[39][40] The park is on the Heritage at Risk Register.[41]
Hesketh Park
Southport 		Merseyside
53°39′22″N 2°59′17″W / 53.6562°N 2.9880°W / 53.6562; -2.9880 (Hesketh Park) 		1868 For the Southport Improvement Commissioners, possibly assisted by Joseph Paxton. It is still used a public park and is designated Grade II.[42][43][44][45]
Stanley Park
Liverpool 		Merseyside
53°26′07″N 2°57′48″W / 53.4353°N 2.9633°W / 53.4353; -2.9633 (Stanley Park) 		1870 For Liverpool Corporation. Designated Grade II.[46][47]
Congleton Park
Congleton 		Cheshire
53°10′00″N 2°12′28″W / 53.1666°N 2.2079°W / 53.1666; -2.2079 (Congleton Park)
1871 Designed with William Blackshaw, the town surveyor, for the town council. It is still open as a public park, and has been designated at Grade II.[2][48][49]
Massey Hall
Thelwall 		Cheshire
53°22′37″N 2°30′59″W / 53.3770°N 2.5165°W / 53.3770; -2.5165 (Massey Hall)
—
 1874 Designed for Peter Rylands, MP for Warrington, and a member of a family running a wire-drawing works. The garden remains much as it was when Kemp designed it.[2]
Saltwell Park
Gateshead 		Tyne and Wear
54°56′42″N 1°36′22″W / 54.945°N 1.606°W / 54.945; -1.606 (Saltwell Park) 		1876 Designed for Gateshead Council. It continues in use as a public park and is designated at Grade II.[50]
Queen's Park, Crewe Cheshire
53°05′49″N 2°28′12″W / 53.097°N 2.470°W / 53.097; -2.470 (Queen's Park, Crewe) 		1888 Designed for Crewe Municipal Borough Council, following negotiations by Francis Webb with the London and North Western Railway to donate the land. The park is still in public use and is designated as Grade II.[2][51][52]
Underscar
Applethwaite 		Cumbria
54°37′13″N 3°07′54″W / 54.6202°N 3.1317°W / 54.6202; -3.1317 (Underscar) 		Unknown Now the grounds of a hotel.[53]
Shendish
Apsley 		Hertfordshire
51°43′42″N 0°28′16″W / 51.7284°N 0.4711°W / 51.7284; -0.4711 (Shendish) 		Unknown Now the grounds of a hotel. Kemp's design has more or less survived.[54]
Dibbinsdale Bank
Allport Road
Bromborough 		Merseyside
53°19′22″N 2°58′52″W / 53.3229°N 2.9812°W / 53.3229; -2.9812 (Dibbinsdale Bank)
—
 Unknown For George Whitley. No further details known.[2]
Lead Works
Egerton Street
Chester 		Cheshire
53°11′42″N 2°53′03″W / 53.1949°N 2.8842°W / 53.1949; -2.8842 (Lead Works, Chester)
—
 Unknown For Edward Walker. No further details known.[2]
Daylesford House
Daylesford 		Gloucestershire
51°56′09″N 1°37′54″W / 51.9358°N 1.6316°W / 51.9358; -1.6316 (Daylesford House) 		Unknown Kemp designed the terrace garden.[55]
Ledsham Hall
Ledsham 		Cheshire
53°15′45″N 2°57′52″W / 53.2625°N 2.9645°W / 53.2625; -2.9645 (Ledsham Hall)
—
 Unknown No further details known.[2]
Residence
(details unknown)
Newton, Chester 		Cheshire
53°12′37″N 2°52′03″W / 53.2102°N 2.8674°W / 53.2102; -2.8674 (Newton residence)
—
 Unknown For James Ball. No further details known.[2]
Bank House
Runcorn 		Cheshire
53°20′27″N 2°44′05″W / 53.3409°N 2.7347°W / 53.3409; -2.7347 (Bank House) 		Unknown Designed for John Johnson, soap and alkali manufacturer of John & Thomas Johnson. Only a small portion still remains.[2]
Knightshayes Court
Tiverton 		Devon
50°55′34″N 3°28′52″W / 50.9260°N 3.4811°W / 50.9260; -3.4811 (Knightshayes Court) 		Unknown Features designed by Kemp include the terraced gardens, an American Garden, and the kitchen garden.[56]
Leighton Hall
Welshpool 		Powys
52°38′02″N 3°07′17″W / 52.6338°N 3.1215°W / 52.6338; -3.1215 (Leighton Hall) 		Unknown For John Naylor.[57][58]

References

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Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e Waymark, Janet (May 2009) 'Kemp, Edward (1817–1891)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Retrieved on 14 December 2010. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac Davey, Elizabeth (2010), ""A Complete and Constant Superintendence": The Cheshire Parks and Gardens of Edward Kemp (1817–1891)", Cheshire History, no. 50, Cheshire Local History Association, pp. 71–99, ISSN 0141-8696
  3. ^ Pevsner & Hubbard 2003, p. 91.
  4. ^ Green Flag Parks and Open Spaces, Wirral Council, archived from the original on 12 August 2013, retrieved 14 December 2010
  5. ^ UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  6. ^ The Register of Parks and Gardens (PDF), English Heritage, p. 3, retrieved 19 December 2010
  7. ^ Mortimer, William (1847). The History of the Hundred of Wirral, with a sketch of the city and county of Chester, compiled from the earliest authentic records. p. 410. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  8. ^ a b Davey, Elizabeth (2018), Landscape Designs for 'Gentlemen of Wealth': Edward Kemp's private commissions (PDF), The Gardens Trust, pp. 118–135, retrieved 6 May 2020
  9. ^ Pevsner & Hubbard 2003, p. 264.
  10. ^ Lymm Hall, Flower Garden, Lymm, Warrington, Cheshire, England, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 2 October 2011, retrieved 16 December 2010
  11. ^ Pevsner & Hubbard 2003, p. 318.
  12. ^ Hartwell & Pevsner 2009, p. 438.
  13. ^ Kemp, Edward (1864). How To Lay Out A Garden. pp. 201–203. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  14. ^ Kemp, Edward (1864). How To Lay Out A Garden. pp. 201–203. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  15. ^ Anon (1990), Runcorn Town Hall: A History and Description, Halton Borough Council
  16. ^ Hartwell & Pevsner 2009, pp. 201–202.
  17. ^ Capernwray Hall, Carnforth, England, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 26 March 2012, retrieved 18 December 2010
  18. ^ Castle Park, Frodsham, Chester, England, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 26 March 2012, retrieved 16 December 2010
  19. ^ Hawkin, W. R.; Duncan, N. (1989), Discovering Castle Park, Frodsham: The Frodsham & District Local History Group
  20. ^ Mollington Banastre Hotel and Spa, Mollington Banastre Hotel and Spa, archived from the original on 7 August 2009, retrieved 17 December 2010
  21. ^ Kemp, Edward (1864). How To Lay Out A Garden. pp. 196–199. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  22. ^ Kemp, Edward (1864). How To Lay Out A Garden. pp. 353–355. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  23. ^ St Helens Borough Cemetery, (also known as Borough Cemetery, Windleshaw Cemetery and St Helen's Cemetery), Merseyside, England, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 26 March 2012, retrieved 18 December 2010
  24. ^ Kemp, Edward (1864). How To Lay Out A Garden. pp. 352–353. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  25. ^ Council, Sefton (24 January 2018). "Conservation Areas". www.sefton.gov.uk.
  26. ^ Kemp, Edward (1864). How To Lay Out A Garden. pp. 350–352. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  27. ^ Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 76, 250–251, 394–395.
  28. ^ Anfield Cemetery, Martin Doherty, retrieved 17 December 2010
  29. ^ Anfield Cemetery, (also known as Liverpool Cemetery), Liverpool, England, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 26 March 2012, retrieved 17 December 2010
  30. ^ Anfield Cemetery, Anfield, Liverpool, English Heritage, retrieved 17 December 2010[permanent dead link‍]
  31. ^ Pyrgo Park, Lost Heritage, archived from the original on 31 May 2010, retrieved 17 December 2010
  32. ^ Flaybrick Memorial Gardens, Flaybrick Cemetery, retrieved 16 December 2010
  33. ^ Pevsner & Hubbard 2003, p. 95.
  34. ^ Flaybrick Memorial Gardens, Birkenhead, (also known as Flaybrick Cemetery and Birkenhead Cemetery), Wirral, England, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 26 March 2012, retrieved 17 December 2010
  35. ^ Hartwell & Pevsner 2009, p. 626.
  36. ^ Information Sheet: Grosvenor Park, Cheshire West and Chester, archived from the original on 16 July 2011, retrieved 18 December 2010
  37. ^ Grosvenor Park, Chester, Chester, England, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 26 March 2012, retrieved 18 December 2010
  38. ^ Pevsner & Hubbard 2003, p. 160.
  39. ^ Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 250, 426.
  40. ^ Newsham Park, Liverpool City Council, archived from the original on 12 January 2010, retrieved 18 December 2010
  41. ^ Newsham Park, Liverpool, Merseyside, English Heritage, retrieved 18 December 2010[permanent dead link‍]
  42. ^ Hartwell & Pevsner 2009, pp. 50, 629.
  43. ^ Hesketh Park, Southport, Merseyside, England, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 26 March 2012, retrieved 18 December 2010
  44. ^ Hesketh Park Southport, Sefton Council, retrieved 18 December 2010
  45. ^ Hartwell & Pevsner 2009, p. 629.
  46. ^ Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 250, 395–397.
  47. ^ Stanley Park, Anfield, Liverpool, England, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 26 March 2012, retrieved 18 December 2010
  48. ^ Congleton Park, Congleton Town Council, archived from the original on 8 October 2011, retrieved 18 December 2010
  49. ^ Congleton Park, Congleton, England, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 26 March 2012, retrieved 18 December 2010
  50. ^ Saltwell Park, (also known as People's Park), Gateshead, England, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 26 March 2012, retrieved 18 December 2010
  51. ^ Welcome to Queen's Park, Crewe, Queen's Park, Crewe, retrieved 18 December 2010
  52. ^ Queen's Park, Crewe, Stoke-on-Trent, England, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 26 March 2012, retrieved 18 December 2010
  53. ^ Underscar Hotel, Garden Visit, archived from the original on 29 June 2011, retrieved 19 December 2010
  54. ^ Shendish, Garden Visit, retrieved 19 December 2010
  55. ^ Daylesford House, Moreton-In-Marsh, England, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 15 March 2012, retrieved 18 December 2010
  56. ^ Knightshayes Court, Tiverton, England, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 30 December 2010, retrieved 18 December 2010
  57. ^ Leighton Hall, Welshpool, Welshpool, Wales, Parks and Gardens Data Services, archived from the original on 31 December 2010, retrieved 18 December 2010
  58. ^ Leighton Hall – A History, BBC, archived from the original on 6 October 2011, retrieved 18 December 2010

Sources

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