Flooding at Charlecote Park
At Charlecote Park, the parkland is prone to seasonal flooding, coming right up to the upper stairs of the Parterre at the back of the house. It happens when the River Avon, which runs through the parkland, bursts its banks. The reasons why are connected to Charlecote's geography.
Increased flooding
Charlecote Park has experienced an increase in flooding over the past few years, which may be evidence of the effects of global warming with predicted wetter winters. However, Charlecote has always been impacted by flooding as it is located on a flood plain, where the River Dene meets the River Avon.
What causes the flooding?
Charlecote Park is located on a flood plain, so heavy rains (in Warwickshire or further along the river) cause the two rivers in the parkland, the Dene and the Avon, to burst their banks. When the house was built in the 1550s, it was built on higher ground to avoid floodwater while enjoying views over the Avon. Today, the house itself remains untouched by the floods, apart from the basement that fills up with floodwater which has to be pumped out. The historic Parterre and Cascade can be affected by flooding too.
Flood plain and flood mitigation
There is nothing we can do to avoid flooding in the parkland, and by allowing sections of the parkland to flood, we are slowing down the water that would otherwise flood buildings in Stratford-upon-Avon. Flood plains are natural and important natural ecosystems. Flood plains create important habitats for wildlife, but it does become a problem for us when it poses risks for our visitors, livestock and buildings.
Flood management plan
We explored alternative routes to maintain visitor access during flooding, and we are doing our best to keep Charlecote Park partially open to visitors during flooding events. Areas of the park are then fenced off (the Paddock, Cricket Pitch, Hill Park and Places Meadow) to ensure visitors’ safety and preserve the waterlogged ground. Visitors are given a flood-specific map of the parkland and told which areas are still open at Visitor Reception. Admission fees for the site might be reduced to reflect the reduced offer when large sections of the parkland are inaccessible.
Livestock and flooding
Local residents and visitors sometimes express their concern about our herd of fallow deer and Jacob sheep during flooding events, but our Park and Garden team always keeps a close eye on our livestock. If the Jacob sheep's pens are in danger of flooding, the animals are relocated to other pens on higher ground. During severe floods, only a fraction of the parkland is unaffected by floodwater, which is where the fallow deer naturally go. They are excellent swimmers and have no problem relocating to higher ground. As the deer find themselves crowded in a reduced space, it is necessary that visitors remain on the mowed paths and give the deer plenty of space.
In the late 1800s
Mary Elizabeth Lucy, a custodian of Charlecote Park in the Victorian times wrote memoirs which give us an insight into their experience of flooding in the late 1800s. For instance, in October 1880, "there was an immense flood, [with] the river over the marble vases again.” Two years later, there was “a fearful flood and heavy snowstorm. The cellars were flooded, the water was over the road to the bridge near the stables, and up to the highest flight of stone steps on the terrace.” The frequent floods sometimes had severe consequences. In 1879, her son "Spencer lost all his meadow hay to the value of £700", another time "all the hay in the Place Meadow was carried away by a flood", and again in June 1887, Mary Elizabeth Lucy recorded in her diaries that the “haylage [was] spoiled in Place Meadow due to flood.”