The Hermitage: aerial view house originally built in c1810 and rebuilt in 1895 following a fire. Coach House built in c1810 LBII Walled Garden built c1810 with glasshouses added in c1895 The Grounds evidence of the early C19 designed landscape remains Local List Site

Historic OS maps 1887 with orchard trees in the walled kitchen garden and links to circuit path in the partially wooded grounds 1898 with glasshouses added

Local List: statement of significance The Hermitage Garden Godshill SZ 49776 78875 In 1810 Michael Hoy, a Russian merchant, built a mansion house and a great column, known as the Hoy Monument, on the highest point of the down behind the house, to commemorate the Czar’s visit to England in 1814. In 1843, following the death of James Hoy sales particulars describe a ‘beautiful cottage residence’ and ‘wooded garden and fishponds’, ‘plantations and pleasure grounds which abound in the most luxuriant American shrubs, extend over nine acres’. Despite the loss of Michael Hoy’s house and the ruinous condition of the gazebos, the designed grounds of The Hermitage still provide evidence of the original layout. The ornamental woodland walk with vistas and gazebos is significant, as are the remains of the walled garden and the pond. The beech woodland surrounding the grounds and at Snipe End is an interesting feature, possibly originally established by Hoy, although the existing trees are probably of more recent date. 18/05/2001

The Hermitage in 2014 The main eastern elevation

The Hermitage walled garden in 2014

Application for proposed new house Proposed South Elevation Proposed Site Plan

Part of Design / Heritage Statement

Historic designed landscape issues The former walled kitchen garden is an interesting and rare (on the IW) surviving example associated with an early C19 ‘gentleman’s country residence’. The historic layout indicates the walled garden was a carefully planned feature within the designed landscape reflecting the owners lifestyle and status. The walls are in very poor condition largely due to tree damage. The original use, and C20 plant nursery use, are no longer viable. A structural report gives an estimate of £105,000 (plus VAT) for repair and rebuilding the walls which is considered realistic. Some form of enabling development appears necessary to justify this cost. A single house appears to be the least intensive option.

IWGT Comments In principle IWGT welcomed the proposed restoration of the former kitchen garden walling as a heritage asset in its own right, currently at obvious risk an important element of the larger historic designed landscape Concerns were raised on Vehicular access and parking – should be further considered Domestic amenities and future development – should be controlled by condition Archaeology – an observation and recording condition suggested Comments were also made on Repair and rebuilding of the walls The design of the new house and curtilage New tree planting

The Hermitage: the Outcome The site lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and strong objections were raised by the IW AONB Unit including that restoration of the walls would be of no benefit to the public as the site was on private land (although there is a public footpath running along the outside of two sides of the walled garden) The application was withdrawn and the future of the former walled kitchen garden remains uncertain.