Norfolk Heritage Explorer

Location

Full description

May 2009.
The Dilham Islands were created in the 1840s by Shephard Thomas Taylor, owner of Hill House in the village. 25 acres of bog were transformed into six islands surrounded by manmade waterways, accessible by a series of ornate swing bridges. The rivers were used for boating and fishing. A two-storey summer house provided a central meeting place on one of the islands. Monkey puzzle and oak trees were planted 1851, and a boating park and four boat houses were constructed at the same time. Little is known of the pleasure ground after 1907, and it fell into disrepair. It is rumoured that a Second World War bomber got rid of its bombs over summer house, and once it had lost its roof it fell apart. Poplar trees were planted in the 1960s, encouraged by the government, and were intended to be used for matchsticks and mining. Some restoration work was begun in 2009, and the gardens will occasionally be opened up to the public.
See (S1)- (S3) for further details
H. White (NLA), 1 June 2009

Monument Types

• BOAT HOUSE (Post Medieval to 21st Century - 1540 AD to 2100 AD)
• SWING BRIDGE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• BOATING LAKE (19th Century to 21st Century - 1840 AD to 2100 AD)
• GARDEN BUILDING (19th Century to 21st Century - 1840 AD to 2100 AD)
• ORNAMENTAL BRIDGE (19th Century to 21st Century - 1840 AD to 2100 AD)
• PLEASURE GARDEN (19th Century to 21st Century - 1840 AD to 2100 AD)

Associated Finds - none

Protected Status

• SHINE

Sources and further reading

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