History of the Beard's Patent, W. G. Smith and notable glasshouses from the Victorian and Edwardian era
Surviving glasshouses can be identified by the metal frame stamp which reads:
W. G. Smith & Co.
Beard's Patent
Bury St Edmunds
Directory of Buildings using the Beards Patented system supplied by G. Beard & Sons or W. G. Smith & Co of Bury St. Edmunds
Location | Type of structure | Owner | Date | Supplied by |
Ickworth near Bury St Edmunds. | Kitchen garden | National Trust | ? | G. Beard & Son of Bury St Edmunds. |
Oldway Mansion Paignton | Original Conservatory a 50ft diameter, 60ft high iron and glass conservator | Torbay Council | 1869 ? | Built by W.G. Smith and Company of Bury St Edmunds. Non longer there except part of iron work foundations. |
Sidbury Manor a Victorian mansion and estate located in Devon | The walled gardens with extensive glasshouses, an orangery, and a peach house. | Private | 1870’s | W. G. Smith & Co |
Wakefield Lodge Estate, Potterspury, Northamptonshire | A lean-to glasshouse on the inside of the heated north wall at the west end. | The Wakefield Trust | ? | Beard Patent Maker’s plate referring to and brick pillars and iron work base. |
Norman Court Salisbury | Palm House | Private | 1912 | W. G. Smith & Co |
Tyntesfield North Somerset. | The north walls supported metal-framed glasshouses. | National Trust | 1896 | G. Beard & Son of Bury St Edmunds. and W. G. Smith & Co. Owned by Gibbs family |
Barrow Court, Barrow Gurney | Glasshouse is located within the kitchen garden, which is situated on a south-west-facing slope below the main house. | Shared ownership | Circa. 1890 | Owned by Gibbs family |
Charlton House which is now The Downs School Wraxall Nr. Bristol | Metal glasshouses Still in Existence ? | School's Charitable Trust. | Circa 1890 | Owned by Gibbs family |
Langton, Epsom. | Metal glasshouse | Private | 1906 | W. G. Smith & Co |