Description

In the entry for
CASTLE ASHBY

SP 8659 CASTLE ASHBY PARK

13/17 Terrace Gardens

GV II

The grade shall be amended to read:-

GV II*

------------------------------------

CASTLE ASHBY CASTLE ASHBY PARK
SP8659
13/17 Terrace Gardens

GV II

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)

Listing NGR: SP8639459225

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17545268

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.

Recommended Books

• 
  County Durham (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England) by Elizabeth Williamson Nikolaus Pevsner(1983-03-11)
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Pt. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)