Tag Archives: Grand Tour

West Wycombe : the perfect Georgian park?

Posted on 09/07/2022 by The Gardens Trust

After last week’s post about Sir Francis Dashwood, outlining the background history of West Wycombe and its wider landscape today I’m turning my attention to the pleasure grounds and parkland of the estate. Like the house itself these were designed … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Dashwood, garden buildings, Georgian, Grand Tour, ha ha, National Trust, sculpture, temple | Leave a comment

West Wycombe & Sir Francis Dashwood

Posted on 02/07/2022 by The Gardens Trust

It’s very rare indeed to find a seemingly unspoilt designed landscape, especially one dating from the mid-18thc. Yet a few do exist, although I suspect none are as convincing, despite the changes that have inevitably taken place, as West Wycombe … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Dashwood, Georgian, Grand Tour, James Lees-Milne, mausoleum, National Trust | Leave a comment

Holkham

Posted on 03/07/2021 by The Gardens Trust

Where do I start in trying to describe Holkham? And it’s not just me. Historic England’s Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest says : ” Because of the complexity of this site, the standard Register entry format would … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Capability Brown, Colen Campbell, Earl of Leicester, Grand Tour, Holkham, Humphry Repton, ice house, Lord Burlington, Norfolk, obelisk, Samuel Wyatt, temple, Thomas Coke, triumphal arch, William Emes, William Kent, william nesfield, William Talman | Leave a comment

With Torrington to Tintern…

Posted on 24/11/2018 by The Gardens Trust

Colonel the Honourable John Byng was just another younger son of another not-very-well-known 18thc aristocratic family. He followed the normal route for younger sons, choosing the army over the navy or church and ended up as a minor government tax … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Buck, Capability Brown, cheltenham, Chepstow, Grand Tour, henry holland, John Byng, Piercefield, Southill, Sudely Castle, Tintern, Turner, Viscount Torrington, Vitruvius Brittanicus, Wales, William Gilpin | 1 Comment

The Picturesque Traveller discovers the Lakes

Posted on 04/11/2017 by The Gardens Trust

Last week’s post about Anthony Devis showed how our understanding and appreciation of the landscape has changed radically over the centuries. Until the beginning of the 18thc wilderness and untamed nature, was generally unappreciated with most art, literature and aesthetic taste … Continue reading →