Listed Building: Terrace Gardens, Castle Ashby Park (13/17)

Garden features. Completed 1864 to designs by W.B. Thomas, for 3rd Marquis of Northampton. Brick and limestone and Blashfield's terracotta, about two years later. The building and ornamentation supervised by Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt. Four linked terraced gardens to east and north of Castle Ashby (q.v.) between house and park. Balustrades are of terracotta, those to outer retaining wall with continuous lettering to match parapets of house. Beginning at north-west corner they read: THE GRASS WITHERETH AND THE FLOWER FADETH BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURETH FOR EVER, then CONSIDER THE LILIES OF THE FIELD HOW THEY GROW THEY TOIL NOT NEITHER DO THEY SPIN AND YET I SAY UNTO YOU THAT SOLOMON IN ALL HIS GLORY WAS NOT ARRAYED LIKE ONE OF THESE. They end with an abbreviated Latin dedicatory inscription which reads, in translation, "To Theodosia, sweetest of wives, Charles Douglas Northampton erected this, begun in hope, finished in despair 1865" (The 3rd Marchioness had died in the previous November). The balustrading is approximately 1.5 metres high and is punctuated by piers bearing urns, with taller more elaborate piers every 3 or four bays with volutes and garlands and garlanded urns. "Bastion" to north-east outer corner has ornamental terracotta well and wrought-iron well-head. Flights of steps connect the various levels and lead out into the park. At north end of outer terrace is a pair of limestone piers and gates at foot of walk leading down from water tower (q.v.). Piers have moulded plinths and cornices and small pineapple finials on moulded tapering plinth; fine wrought-iron gates. Terraces formerly had elaborate "parterres de broderie". Terrace to north-east has large central ornamental terracotta urn. Middle terrace to east of house has pair of terracotta fountains. Lower terrace to east of house has larger central formal pond with terracotta kerb and large marble tazza fountain bowl. (Castle Ashby park and gardens are included in HBMC Register of Parks and Gardens for Northamptonshire at Grade I) (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire: 1973, p144)

Record last edited

Dec 16 2024 12:09PM