Whinney House is now a residential home run by Gateshead Hospitals NHS Trust. Despite development work carried out by the health authority, the remaining landscaping is largely intact. The pleasure gardens are overgrown underneath a canopy of trees. Arrangements of pulhamite rocks have been discovered in the shrubbery. North of the house are the remains of a small bridge strengthened with concrete. The bridge to St Helen's Church was made of iron and was removed in WW2. Structures in the garden have been almost obliterated by undergrowth and dereliction. The base of the gazebo is littered with fragments of stone. The late C19 Italienate fountain is listed grade 2. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
These vast gardens are highly significant in the development of Low Fell. Although many Victorian villas in the area (most built for wealthy industrialists) enjoyed generous landscaped gardens, this was not only one of the largest and most impressive, but it is also one of the few left that still covers an area close to its original extent. It is especially important as a green open space, for its contribution to the character of the area and its significance as a wildlife habitat, in addition to its value as an historic designed landscape. It was laid out by Albany Hancock, the brother of the noted landscape designer John Hancock - the latter perhaps being too occupied with other projects at the time to undertake the commission. Its design is reminiscent of the 18th century English Landscape style, but on a more modest scale, to be natural in appearance, with an extravagant use of trees. An important feature of these gardens, much commented on at the time of their establishment, was that Joicey only used iron railings to the front perimeter, rather than the much more common high stone boundary walls, in order that residents of the area could also enjoy them. It may have been influenced by the landscaping at Blenkinsopp Hall in Northumberland, which was another seat of the family. Prior to the Victorian landscaping, the trees on the site were principally lining the 2 denes, but in the later mapping we see a site almost engulfed by them, save for some irregularly shaped areas of open land (probably lawned) to the east and west of the house, and larger, more regular areas to the north of the site. It was a device designed not only to create the impression of mature English woodland and provide privacy for the house, but also to frame the views of Ravensworth Castle that could be enjoyed from the upper floor and the tower. The design may have been influenced by the well-known landscaper J C Loudon, who only incorporated exotic species that complemented native ones (‘to enhance and emphasise the natural simplicity of the British rural landscape’), and were not too showy. Conifers were frequently used, and the historic mapping shows the use of evergreens, but shrubberies were also introduced so that both holly and rhododendron could be seen. Now there is still a dizzying array of large trees, ‘whose branches form swaying canopies above’. Included amongst these are some substantial oaks (especially in the dene), perhaps dating from prior to Hancock’s design, and some well-grown beeches that may have been a feature of it, as they are not native to this part of the British Isles and therefore grew slowly. When trees were planted by wealthy people at this time, the usual approach was to use large trees, which created an immediate impact. However, the larger the tree, the more likely they were to suffer from transplant shock, and therefore 2 were normally planted together. Occasionally both trees would survive, and grow together as a ‘twinned’ tree, and there are some examples of these visible on the estate. The design incorporated designed views (vistas), created using careful laying out of features, with serpentine paths linking different parts of the grounds. For example, the long drive from the entrance, lined with trees, creates mystery through the restricted view, but then opens out part way along to reveal the full splendour of the grand Italianate house. A large carriage space was then provided in front, to accommodate the needs of visitors. Formal elements included the lodge to Durham Road, designed in a style very similar to the older part of the house, a ‘Pleasure Garden’; a terrace along the garden elevation of the house; a conservatory linked to unusual glazed walkways; a gazebo, glasshouses and a tennis court, and there were also 2 bridges across the denes (one of which was blown up in an exercise during wartime). The terrace was originally a level, gravelled area with balustrades, alcoves containing urns, and benches to provide a pleasant seating area from which to appreciate the gardens. The conservatory now present was not the original one, which was different in form and had to be altered when the house was extended at the same location. It housed, in heated glory, exotic and tender plant species, and had opening windows to provide ventilation, as well as seating. The glasshouses provided a place to nurture many specimens, including a magnificent Hydrangea, which must have been notable as there is an historic photograph of it. The piece de resistance, however, was the dramatic fountain, which can still be experienced today, with a centrepiece in the form of an exotic woman carrying a water jug, surrounded by urns with fine lions’ heads carvings at the base. There were also practical outbuildings, and a kitchen garden to provide for the family. The landscaping stretched from the entrance lodge on Durham Road in the east, to Saltwell Road in the west, to Joicey Road in the north, and the dene to the south. The addition of Joicey Road School and the allotments has not harmed the character at all, as the buildings are of quality and the open space has been retained. The outbuildings are, too, still present, and the lodge to Durham Road is happily still in place. It is, however, most unfortunate that a sheltered housing scheme has been built at a key location within the grounds (between the lodge and the house), spoiling views and the integrity of the site; the site of the important former glasshouses has been developed for housing, and car parking space has obscured the site of the former tennis court. FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
It is extremely important that these gardens are safeguarded into the future, and that no further development encroaches within them. It would be beneficial for further research to be done on the gardens, which could provide sufficient information for the implementation of a restoration project (involving part, or even all of the site) associated with the redevelopment of the house. The study used to inform this Statement of Significance would provide a useful starting point, but more detailed survey, for example of the surviving trees, would be useful. Although it is unlikely to be possible, it would be positive if some of the encroaching development could be removed at some time in the future – in particular the sheltered accommodation which is a significant intrusion into the designed landscape. The identification of historic views and vistas would be helpful, so that these could be recreated.

Pevsner - "Flourishing [and] containing many handsome buildings inhabited by opulent families" (The Beauties of England and Wales, 1803). The most ambitious is Ryton Grove, dated 1742 on the rainwater heads, with ample stone dressings and a central bay-window with pedimented entrance in it. The river front in its original state except for the bow-windows of 1919. Fine hall and staircase. On Elvaston Road is its mid C18 gate lodge, brick with stone quoins and castellated entrance bay. Good iron gates.

Pevsner - several good buildings by Henry Grieves, 1888-91. In the midst of the cemetery, a very elaborate set-piece in free late Perp: a pair of mortuary chapels linked by an arched gateway surmounted by an elegant lantern tower (with ogee-capped buttresses) and spire. Gabled entrance gateway flanked by gabled side gates. In the lodge (some half-timbering in its gable) the superintendent's house and cemetery committee boardroom.

This is in very poor condition. Visited structure in November 2001 and found it to be suffering from graffiti and vandalism. It is also a haven for antisocial behaviour so the Sunderland Antiquarian Society are proposing filling in the structure and the sunken pathway which leads to it with earth.

Currently used as council depot, but part of the walled garden is once again being laid out as a kitchen garden. Brickwork in poor condition.

Park is in poor condition. Water level in the pond is low, exposing concrete edge. Park features require restoration. Park is a haven for antisocial activities.

Archaeologically recorded in 2004 in advance of conversion to housing.