Much of the garden structure remains intact today, although lost under some 50 years of untended growth. Similarly, there are many fine trees still standing but now obscured in a mass of overgrown woodland.
Many of the access paths, both formal and informal are lost to the undergrowth though their outline is still clearly visible.
Beyond the formal gardens, and running at the same level and altitude, lie 2 terraces that face almost due south. These are the old walled vegetable gardens, once with greenhouses and extensive irrigation systems. Again, they are largely intact but as can be seen from the above picture, they are barely distinguishable now from the secondary growth.
The 1st Earl Lovelace was a keen landscaper and enjoyed building networks of tunnels as well as turrets. Most of these still exist and in such condition that they can be saved and restored.
The significance of the gardens lie in their historical connections. First set out in 1799, they took on a particular importance when Ada Lovelace came to live here in 1835. It was her extraordinary relationship with the famous 19th century mathematician and inventor, Charles Babbage, that sets this location apart.
Whilst Babbage is now widely credited with having invented the world’s first computer, his ‘Analytical Machine’ and his ‘Difference Engine’, Ada Lovelace is credited with having been a forerunner of the software programmer. It was she who, walking in these gardens with Charles Babbage, discussed with and suggested to Babbage the use to which his machine might be put. So much so in fact that the US Department of Defence named, in 1979, an early, secret software programme ‘ADA’ in her honour. ‘ADA’ continues to be used as a programme to this day.
Babbage, a polymath himself, also foresaw the end of coal reserves and thus a need for alternative sources of energy. Possibly inspired by his visits to Ashley Combe and observing the fast moving currents of the Bristol Channel, having as it does the world’s second highest tidal range, he had the concept of power generation by tidal flow. This is now, more than 150 years later, coming to fruition locally with 2 schemes, one at Lynmouth, some 8 miles along the coast, where there is a working tidal generator (illustrated), and one being planned for the Severn Estuary with the massive barrage scheme.
1st commercial scale monopile-mounted 300kw single rotor system currently operating off Lynmouth, Devon. |  |
Ada Lovelace
1815-1852 |  |
Added to this, Ada was the daughter of that most famous poet, Lord Byron, who was himself linked with the ‘Romantic Poets’, who had and still retain strong links to this part of the West Country. Although Byron did not visit here as far as is known, there are strong connections in this location to Coleridge, Southey and Wordsworth. Indeed, Coleridge’s seminal work, Kubla Khan, the unfinished epic, may never have been published in 1816 had not his friend Byron encouraged him. Yet it was this work, the consequence of a drink and drug infused dream whilst resting overnight in Porlock, that arose partly as a result of his walking through these very woods, at a time when the gardens were already in existence.
Lord Byron
1788-1824
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These historical connections will have international resonance, particularly that of the connection to the birth of the computer, something that has come to so profoundly affect our entire world.
The concept of visitors to Ashley Combe is nothing new of course. In October 1863, an observer, writing in a popular journal of the time ‘The Leisure Hour’ wrote:
“…soon after which we enter the vale of Porlock, which has the beauty of being clearly defined by towering hills and headlands, that it seems curtained round from all the world, and open only to the sea. The two sides of the bay are finely contrasted. To the north-east a long, bare and rocky hill, terminating in the bold headland of Hurstone Point, lies in tranquil majesty across the horizon: but the opposite side, though equally high and steep, is profusely wooded, and about half way up it, gleaming in the wood, one espies the turrets of Ashley Combe, the seat of Earl Lovelace. It is a place well worth visiting, and permission may be got from the owner’s agent at Minehead. There is a fine terrace, and there is a tunnel cut through the steep hill. The absolute seclusion of the place is a great charm.”
In the ‘Tourist’s Guide to North Devon and the Exmoor District of 1894 we find:
“From Porlock town to Porlock Weir, which may be described as the port of Porlock, and which has a little pier, is about 1 ½ m. The inn at Porlock Weir is the Anchor, and good lodgings may be obtained. If, when about 1 ¼ miles from Porlock, instead of continuing on to Porlock Weir, the road to the left along the woods is taken, it will lead to the lodge gate of Ashley Combe, a summer residence of the Earl Of Lovelace, which is 2m from Porlock. Through the grounds of Ashley Combe lies the pleasantest road to Culbone. Admission used to be free, but a charge is now made of 1s for one visitor, 2s for five and 2s.6d. for more than that number. This applies alike to pedestrians and those who are driving.
The house at Ashley is charmingly placed on a little plateau terraced out of the cliff side overlooking the fair expanse of Porlock Bay and the rich upland country which it borders”.
Today, Porlock Weir and environs continue to attract many visitors from all over the world, with some 600,000 visitors last year (2005).
