Even though I visited Fountains Abbey fairly recently, on a sudden whim a friend and I set off for another visit there, to see photographs of the World Heritage Site taken during lockdown by the landscape photographer Joe Cornish, which are currently on display there. This time we spent more time exploring the Studley Royal end of the estate, rather than the abbey itself. The water gardens were laid out in the early 18th century by the landowner John Aislabie and his son, William. (See HERE). John's political career had foundered (he was Chancellor of the Exchequer and was implicated in the South Sea Bubble crisis) and he retired in 1720 to his Yorkshire estate, with a vision to impress visitors with a breath-taking formal garden, studded with classical statues, follies and garden buildings. William later bought the ruins of Fountains Abbey, conveniently next door, as a romantic ruin to complete the gardens.
Magnificent prospects, though that kind of grand garden always seems to me to require rather more walking than is strictly necessary.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about lawn care for some reason...imagining someone on a riding mower taking care of all those lawns! Beautiful and spacious - also lots of strolling required!
ReplyDeleteThese water gardens were lovely to see and much more so in person, I suspect, Jenny. Thanks for the link to Joe Cornish's photos and the information about the gardens.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! Wonderful what a lot of money can do.
ReplyDeleteYou find so much beauty.
ReplyDeleteAn exquisite property.
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