Rousham - a treat not to be missed!

Monty Don described Rousham as "one of the greatest experiences on this earth" in his book, "Around the World in 80 Gardens", and having visited yesterday, I have to agree with him - it is an outstanding property! Originally designed by William Kent in the first half of the 18th century, little has changed in the last 250 years, and every corner you turn gives another amazing vista. Combine this with perfectly mown lawns, the impressive statues and the views over the Oxfordshire countryside and the River Cherwell and you've got a garden that's unique.


The views are breathtaking and at every turn there is another statue or feature that makes you stop in your tracks. More striking still is the total absence of flowers around the house - the vista is green, green, green - just lawns, trees, and a series of water pools, which reflect the green around them. You can spend hours just wandering through this verdant landscape and you begin to feel as though you have been transported back in time - the pressures of the 21st century seem far removed when you come face to face with a statue of Apollo, or the Dying Gladiator. This is a genuine landscape garden.



Gorgeous. I love how the green lawn perfectly sets off the stone! It is like a beautiful carpet.
ReplyDeleteThe blue gate in the stone wall, amazing, why does blue seem to be such a fabulous colour in the garden.
I can imagine spending days wandering around the gardens! The lush green in the front is very organized...even the lines in the lawn are 'dress right dress' but..oh the collection of color in the kitchen garden. Wonderful
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful day you had yesterday! That is an amazing, lovely place.
ReplyDeleteI hardly ever relax in my own garden, always something to get done. So, I can imagine how wonderful it must have been to be here in this lovely garden and just ENJOY the beauty surrounding me. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteRosey
Wonderful photos, it looks so warm and summery!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte, Can I please be you, just for a while -- a month, a week, a day; I won't be fussy. Wonderful tour of this inspiring garden; and likewise, inspiring tour of this wonderful garden.
ReplyDeleteso beautiful.. like a fairy land
ReplyDeleteAlone in such a wonderful garden, what can be better? I'd love to see the "only green" part, without flowers, but then I'd start missing colors, I think. Fortunately, that place has it all. Thank you for the tour!
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