Tag Archives: Horace Walpole

East comes West

Posted on 08/09/2018 by The Gardens Trust

Dr Johnson wrote in 1738 : “There are few nations in the world more talked of, or less known than the Chinese.” He was reflecting on the latest book about China to be published, one which Patrick Conner in Oriental Architecture in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Admiral Anson, china, Chinoiserie, Dr Johnson, du Halde, guide books, Horace Walpole, jemima grey, jesuits, kew, Lord Burlington, Mrs Delany, National Trust, Nieuhof, pagoda, sanderson miller, Shugborough, Stowe, Studley Royal, Thomas Robins, Thomas Wright, wotton, wrest park, Wroxton | 2 Comments

Another victory for Houghton

Posted on 30/06/2018 by The Gardens Trust

Houghton Hall in Norfolk (which I wrote about last week) hit the headlines in the arts pages earlier this year because it is playing host in a spectacular way to an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by Damien Hirst. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Bannerman, Catherine the Great, conservatory, Damien Hirst, Deer Park, fountain, herbaceous border, Horace Walpole, Houghton, kitchen garden, land art, Land sculpture, obelisk, Sassoon, sculpture, temple, Walpole, wilderness | 4 Comments

Houghton

Posted on 23/06/2018 by The Gardens Trust

I visited Houghton recently. It’s a vast early 18thc landscape park in rural west Norfolk surrounding a Grade 1 listed Palladian house built for Sir Robert Walpole, who was effectively Britain’s first Prime Minister. I’ve wanted to go there for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged avenues, baroque, Charles Bridgeman, Colen Campbell, Deer Park, Horace Walpole, Houghton, James Gibbs, Norfolk, parkland, parterre, Sassoon, temple, Walpole, wilderness, William Kent | 1 Comment

Recording the Rococo : Thomas Robins

Posted on 05/05/2018 by The Gardens Trust

Sometimes one gets a real surprise from a book. I did a few weeks ago in the British Library… and I don’t mean when I started to read it, but literally when it was brought to the counter. There were … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bath, cheltenham, Chinoiserie, Farm, Gloucester, Gothic, Horace Walpole, Painswick, richard bateman, rococo, Thomas Robins, water gardens, william chambers, William Halfpenny | Leave a comment

Batty goes Gothick…

Posted on 05/08/2017 by The Gardens Trust

Batty Langley was an engaging self publicist with an eye to an opening in the market coupled with a need to make a living. Last week’s post looked at New Principles of Gardening published in 1728, his first important book. … Continue reading →