Wrest Park and Gardens, Bedfordshire
Maureen organised one of her popular outings for the Meopham Historical Society, this time to Wrest Park and gardens. In spite of the wet weather that had been the norm during April, she managed to pick the one day, where temperatures rose and the sky was blue.
We had a lovely day. At first we had time to wander around on our own, before the tour of the gardens with a knowledgeable guide. The gardens around the house were laid out to incorporate Italian and French styles as well as a rose garden. However, the main attractions lay beyond the house, in the 92 acres that compose the whole estate. The present house was built in the 1830s by Thomas, 2nd Earl de Grey. It replaces an older house built at the beginning of the 17th century. The gardens were altered by Capability (Lancelot) Brown in the late 1750s. There was certainly plenty to keep us occupied for the whole day.
The Italian Garden, a small formal garden to the west of the house
The Italian Garden
The Italian Garden
The Italian Garden
A statue on the terrace in front of the house
A statue on the terrace in front of the house
The rose garden
Gardeners at work in the rose garden
The house
The Orangery
The Orangery
This is not a pond but flooding due to the enormous amount of rain during April.
Bath House with a plunge pool
The Bath House
Views from the Bath House
Views from the Bath House
The Bowling Green house
The Orangery from the Bowling Green house
The Pavilion
Views from the Pavilion
East Half House built about 1726
East Half House, essentially a glorified shelter
Lin stands in the dog cemetery.
Capability Brown column
A monument
The Chinese Bridge
View of the Chinese Temple from the bridge
A nesting swan near the Chinese Bridge
The Chinese Temple
The Chinese Temple
Looking along the Long Water towards the Pavilion
Graeco-Roman altar
Atlas pond, although the pond seems to have disappeared.
The house through the trees
Le Petit Trianon
Industrious workers in the French Garden
Part of the group arrives at the Orangery for the start of the guided tour.
Listening to the guide
Our guide explains that the cherub is holding a pig.
A quiet place to read
Those unable to walk too far take a tour in a buggy.
Long Water, which was created in the 1680s
The west side of the garden
We learn that the garden has a water boundary.
Walking over the Chinese Bridge
A hedge resembling a herd of animals
The stable next to the house
The French Garden in front of the house