Tag Archives: John Vanbrugh

Visiting a Duke 18thc style…

Posted on 09/02/2019 by The Gardens Trust

At the end of last year I wrote  about the travel journals of John Byng, 5th Viscount Torrington. His diaries are, unlike most 18thc published writing, quite informal in style , probably because he  had no intention of putting his … Continue reading →

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Achille Duchêne @ Blenheim

Posted on 19/11/2016 by The Gardens Trust

A drizzly overcast day in mid-November might not be the ideal time to see the gardens at Blenheim but I was taking advantage of an offer of free entry to the gardens and park via my RHS membership, so a drizzly … Continue reading →

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Seaton Delaval: “The Geordie Versailles”

Posted on 12/12/2015 by The Gardens Trust

This summer I was mesmerised by a visit to Seaton Delaval Hall,   Vanbrugh’s  late masterpiece, just north of  Newcastle. Although I’d seen photos of the house  I suppose I was  expecting a grand approach maybe down a long avenue of trees … Continue reading →

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Eastbury

Posted on 30/05/2015 by The Gardens Trust

No it isn’t a disused rural railway station! Instead this intriguing arcaded house is all that remains of one of Baroque architect Sir John Vanbrugh’s greatest buildings. Vastly expensive and taking over 20 years to complete, Eastbury at Tarrant Gunville in … Continue reading →

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BEAUTIFUL BRITAIN: Romance and Reason

Posted on 07/02/2014 by The Gardens Trust

I’m a hoarder and always have been. I’ve also been interested in history all my life and even as a child I collected anything and everything in the hope that one day it would come in ‘useful’.  Having written last … Continue reading →

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