View towards the Palladian Bridge at Prior Park and the city of Bath to the north beyond. ©National Trust Images/Charlie Waite
I have just spotted these results of a recent photoshoot by Charlie Waite at Prior Park, Bath. They show how the garden at Prior Park nestles in a little valley with expansive views over the city.
The Palladian bridge perched on a dam between two water levels. ©National Trust Images/Charlie Waite
Ralph Allen, who developed the garden in the 1740s and 1750s, was an entrepreneur who supplied the ‘Bath stone’ that was being used to build the elegant terraces and crescents of the burgeoning spa resort. He constructed an early railway right next to Prior Park that allowed blocks of stone to be brought down into the city from the quarry at Combe Down.
View through one of the arches of the Palladian Bridge. ©National Trust Images/Charlie Waite
The Palladian Bridge was built in 1755, elegantly hiding an otherwise pedestrian dam between two different water levels. This type of bridge – loosely based on designs by Andrea Palladio – was popular in England at that time, and other examples were built at Wilton House (1735) and Stowe (1738).
Some of the historical graffiti on the Palladian Bridge. ©National Trust Images/Charlie Waite
Allen was acquainted with Viscount Cobham, the owner of Stowe, and his circle, and one of them, Thomas Pitt, seems to have had a hand in the design of the Prior Park bridge – yet another example of the ‘liquid networks’ I have written about previously.
The Palladian Bridge from the south. ©National Trust Images/Charlie Waite
After Allen’s death Prior Park was sold several times and eventually became a school. The main house is still in use by Prior Park College, but the National Trust acquired the garden in 1993, and has been gradually restoring its various features ever since.
June 15, 2012 at 13:42 |
Although I rarely comment, I so enjoy each and every one of your posts. Thank you!
June 15, 2012 at 15:29 |
Sandra, thank you so much – it is always very encouraging when readers respond – but equally I am glad that you are simply enjoying the posts
I am not a garden expert like you but I am very interested in the interaction between interiors and gardens, architecture and landscape.
June 15, 2012 at 17:41 |
They’re threatening temperatures in the high 90s in Chicago this weekend, so this combination of classic architecture, shade, a view of desnse trees and the sound of rushing water seems like heaven, even it it is only pixels on a screen. Thanks for the momentary respite.
June 15, 2012 at 19:44 |
Been there… saw it… and loved it very much!!
Greetings, Ilse, Belgium
June 15, 2012 at 22:40 |
Bart, it’s sunshine-and-showers here at the moment, so pretty much as in these images – my favourite kind of weather.
Ilse, thanks. Yes the bridge and the landscaping and the views work together so intricately that walking around Prior Park is almost a visceral experience, isn’t it?
June 20, 2012 at 22:11 |
A stunning structure and quite inspiring landscape!
June 21, 2012 at 05:50 |
Sustylife, I agree
Thanks.