History of Colman Brook

The site is the former grounds of a large property called  The Clyffe (now taken by the sea). It was the former second residence of Jeremiah James Colman and his family. He was a successful businessman, whose Norwich based firm were the country’s foremost suppliers of mustard.

Jeremiah bought the house in 1869 and extended it in 1874. His wife Caroline organised the planting of rare trees and shrubs in the newly purchased land to the north and south of the house. She favoured the naturalistic planting styles that were in vogue at the time  thanks to the influence of the garden designer and writer William Robinson, and designed her garden to avoid geometric shapes and regimentation.

Photographs of the house show curving paths and beds, whilst the Ordnance Survey map drawn between 1881 and 1893 suggest that there were at least one irregular-shaped pond with a footbridge over to an island.

(Aerial view of Ocean Glade prior to the development of the area where you are  now located) 

Share This