Description

SE 2868 LINDRICK WITH STUDLEY STUDLEY PARK
ROYAL AND FOUNTAINS

9/77 Moon and Crescent Ponds

GV II*

3 ponds flanking the Canal. Completed by 1728. For John Aislabie. Stone
and clay lined. The Moon Pond is circular with a submerged paved causeway
to the centre from the south-west, and the flanking Crescent Ponds fit
within the large semicircular grassed terrace which forms the dramatic
foreground to the Temple of Piety (qv). The ponds are fed by small sluices
and underground timber box culverts from the Canal (qv). The importance of
the garden layout is that it predates similar work by William Kent who was
almost certainly known by Aislabie through Lord Burlington. John Aislabie
was advised by Colen Campbell (floruit 1715-29) in the design of the High
Stables (qv) and the Palladian influence continues through his contact with
Lord Burlington in the design of the Temple of Piety (qv). William Kent
(floruit 1730-39) designed Holkham Hall (1734) the front of which is
reflected in a large circular pool (Summerson p 341), very reminiscent of
the Temple and the semicircular terrace framing the Moon Pond which were
completed 6 years before Holkham was begun. A further link with the leading
architectural influences of the day is the fact that the Moon Pond was
originally lined with Termes, a form of statuary displayed at Chiswick House
(begun 1725). These facts lead one to the conclusion that John Aislabie
practised in the north of England the theories he discussed with leading
architects of the day but which they themselves were only just putting into
practise. William Kent is credited with the first garden layouts which
allowed semi-formal gardens to merge with the landscape beyond, but here
again Aislabie at Studley Royal predates Kent at Chiswick and Stowe. Mary
Keen, Studley Royal, The Garden, Vol 108, 1983. J Summerson, Architecture
in Britain, 1530-1830, 1977 pp 300-346.
W T C Walker, personal communication.

Listing NGR: SE2803468872

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17536360

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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