Monument record COW 014 - Branches Park (house)

The manor of Cowlinge and various other lands were acquired by Francis Dickins, a London Lawyer, shortly before 1720 (S1). He built a new house on his lands and was living at Cowlinge by 1728 (S1). A `good seat' called Branches is mentioned in 1735 (S2). Building probably continued until c. 1739 (date recorded on rainwater cisterns). Original rectangular block enlarged in the later C18 by the addition of single-storeyed side wings to the E and W. House enlarged and altered c. 1904-8 by G Hornblower and G A Tonge for Gilbert A Tonge: side wings extended and heightened, and a water tower and a staff wing enclosing a small courtyard were added. Further alterations by J Burlison and W Turner Lord 1935 (S3, S4). House demolished c. 1959 (S5) and a new smaller house built on part of the site. House illustrated in 1907 (S6); illustrated sales brochure 1956 (S7).
The fixtures and fittings of the mansion were sold by auction in March 1957 and the stable block and other outbuildings sold in April 1957, reserving to the vendors a right of way to remove the structure and fabric of the mansion house until 31 December 1957 (S9)
C18 stable building WNW of the house approximately contemporary with the original house. Brick 2 storeyed with an open octagonal cupola on the roof (S3). Shown as H-shaped and named as `coach house and stable' on a map of 1766 (S8). Central range seems to survive at TL 7064 5541. See also COW 013, 015, 016, 017.
See also (R1).
See details in Lost Country Houses of Suffolk by WM Roberts.