Humphry Repton
Humphry Repton, the landscape gardener, was born in Bury St Edmunds in 1752 and educated at
Norwich Grammar School. He married Mary Clarke in 1773. John Adey Repton, their second
child, was born in 1775 and was later to work with his father on many of his projects.
Around 1786, after losing money in a second business venture, he moved to Hare Street, near
Romford from where, in 1788, he started his career as a landscape gardener, his first commission
being Catton Hall in Norfolk.
In Essex he is thought to have been associated with over 30 properties, amongst his most notable
being Claybury. Gosfield Place. Highams, Hylands, Rivenhall Place, Stansted Hall and Wanstead.
Famous for his Red Books with before-and-after watercolour scenes of his suggested improvements,
the Red Book for Hylands is unfortunately lost (last seen in 1839). but at least seven related Io
Essex properties are known to survive. The "Red Book" for Wanstead was 'discovered' in 2002
when it came-up for sale at a provincial auction house. Mis-described in the catalogue and estimated
at £1,000 - £2,000, it eventually sold for £58,000 (see page 180).
The early 1790s were the peak period for Repton's landscaping work. He also published a number
of books on the subject of landscaping. In 1811 he was seriously injured in a carriage accident,
which severely affected his ability to work. However, he still managed to produce his Red Book for
Wanstead in 1813. In 1815 he worked on Riffhams at Danbury with his son John Adey (1775 -
1860). John Adey eventually retired to Springfield, Chelmsford (designing Trinity Church in 1843).
Another son. George Stanley Repton, also an architect, is famous for collaborating with his father
and brother on plans for the Royal Pavillion at Brighton and also for 'running-off' and marrying the
daughter of Lord Eldon.
Humphry died in 1818 at Hare Street and was buried at Aylsham, Norfolk
HUMPHRY REPTON 1752 - 1818
12 Essex Parks: Section 1 - Parks in Essex