Monthly Archives: July 2014

Garden Menageries… 1: Coombe Abbey

Posted on 25/07/2014 by The Gardens Trust

As gardeners and garden historians we are used to hearing about the discovery, trade and cultivation of non-native plants. We know that as western Europeans discovered, then traded with and finally conquered much of the rest of the world plant hunters … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged aviary, Bartlett, Capability Brown, Christopher Plumb, elizabeth of bohemia, grotto, henry holland, Kenilworth Castle, menagerie, plant hunters, sally festing, winter queen | Leave a comment

Elephants and the royal menagerie…

Posted on 17/07/2014 by The Gardens Trust

After a look at mechanical elephants in our parks and gardens I thought perhaps I should look at the place of the real thing there as well. Garden menageries have a long history: the earliest recorded in Britain from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Bartlett, Blenheim, Christopher Plumb, elephants, Elizabeth I, George IV, Henry VIII, James I, porcupine, Regent's Park, royal beast, Tower of London, Tudor, Woodstock, Zoo | 1 Comment

Mechanical elephants….

Posted on 10/07/2014 by The Gardens Trust

I know that Britain’s parks and gardens are amazing places, and that some of them had aviaries and small menageries in them – indeed a few still do – but it was still a surprise to discover this piece of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Frank Smith, Hull History Centre, mechanical elephant, Morecambe | Leave a comment

Gardens in the sky….

Posted on 04/07/2014 by The Gardens Trust

From the underground delights of cemeteries and burial plots of the last couple of posts to something more uplifting and airy! One of things I like about researching anything but particularly gardens and their history is the way one can get so easily diverted by … Continue reading →