DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20000#0044
As it is, the house lies almost midway on the slope, and is overlooked by the terraces instead of
commanding them, which is the more usual and better treatment. It therefore appears to lie low,
although this is not really the case, as the ground falls away on at least two sides. The sketch plan
shown on Plate 11 is intended to illustrate the gardens only so far as the terraces are concerned, and
shows their position in relation to the house. At present the approach is by a drive direct to the front
door, but this is a modern arrangement; originally the visitor alighted at the first flight of steps,
and had to traverse the two courts before reaching the porch. At a level about eight feet above
the forecourt is the parterre, some 80 feet wide by 160 feet long; the beds are cut out in the grass,
and there are no gravel paths. This part of the gardens is shown on Plate 12, a view taken from the
terrace which skirts one side of the parterre. The beautiful terrace, a view of which is shown on
Plate 13 and an elevation on Plate 11, is 160 feet in length and 11 feet broad, and is raised 10 feet
above the parterre. The balustrade has piers eight feet apart, slightly projecting beyond the wall
face, and carried on corbels surmounted alternately by balls and vases, which in design are very similar
to those on the terrace of Kingston House, Bradford-on-Avon, not many miles away, which are shown
on Plates 96 and 98. In the centre of the terrace is a flight of steps unbroken by any landing, the
effect of which is decidedly good. Skirting the south-east side of the house and ascending the hill
is a broad walk of grass, curiously formed into steps, a pleasing and unusual feature. The lower
terrace, also shown on Plate 11, is a charming piece of work, with its flight of steps leading down
from the forecourt. The detail of the balustrade is similar to that of the upper terrace, and the irregular
spacing of the balusters, whether intentional or due to accident, is quaint. The gardens also extend
considerably on the south-east side of the house ; but these are not so pleasing as the older and more
formal parts.
PENSHURST PLACE, KENT.
PLATES 14, 15.
ENSHURST PLACE was granted by King Edward VI. to Sir William Sidney,
whose son, Sir Henry Sidney, a Knight of the Garter and Lord President of the
Marches of Wales, did much to the house, and, as a tablet over the entrance
gateway records, "caused this tower to be builded in 1585." Other parts of the
building date from even earlier days, and the baronial hall is one of the finest in
the country. The estate, passing through the hands of several families, eventually
became the property of the late Lord de l'lsle and Dudley, a nobleman of great
culture, under whom the old buildings were carefully restored. From old drawings it would appear that
the gardens were never a great feature until they were laid out under his careful guidance, and he
was entirely responsible for their design.
The house is approached, on its north side, by a drive through the park, and the plan on Plate 14
shows that the gardens lie principally on its south and west sides. The ground slopes generally to
the south and west, and the house stands on a grass platform, raised about nine feet above the
garden level. On this platform is the garden or summer-house, a two storey building. Along the
south-west side of the flower garden is a broad grass terrace, and near the house a few steps lead
commanding them, which is the more usual and better treatment. It therefore appears to lie low,
although this is not really the case, as the ground falls away on at least two sides. The sketch plan
shown on Plate 11 is intended to illustrate the gardens only so far as the terraces are concerned, and
shows their position in relation to the house. At present the approach is by a drive direct to the front
door, but this is a modern arrangement; originally the visitor alighted at the first flight of steps,
and had to traverse the two courts before reaching the porch. At a level about eight feet above
the forecourt is the parterre, some 80 feet wide by 160 feet long; the beds are cut out in the grass,
and there are no gravel paths. This part of the gardens is shown on Plate 12, a view taken from the
terrace which skirts one side of the parterre. The beautiful terrace, a view of which is shown on
Plate 13 and an elevation on Plate 11, is 160 feet in length and 11 feet broad, and is raised 10 feet
above the parterre. The balustrade has piers eight feet apart, slightly projecting beyond the wall
face, and carried on corbels surmounted alternately by balls and vases, which in design are very similar
to those on the terrace of Kingston House, Bradford-on-Avon, not many miles away, which are shown
on Plates 96 and 98. In the centre of the terrace is a flight of steps unbroken by any landing, the
effect of which is decidedly good. Skirting the south-east side of the house and ascending the hill
is a broad walk of grass, curiously formed into steps, a pleasing and unusual feature. The lower
terrace, also shown on Plate 11, is a charming piece of work, with its flight of steps leading down
from the forecourt. The detail of the balustrade is similar to that of the upper terrace, and the irregular
spacing of the balusters, whether intentional or due to accident, is quaint. The gardens also extend
considerably on the south-east side of the house ; but these are not so pleasing as the older and more
formal parts.
PENSHURST PLACE, KENT.
PLATES 14, 15.
ENSHURST PLACE was granted by King Edward VI. to Sir William Sidney,
whose son, Sir Henry Sidney, a Knight of the Garter and Lord President of the
Marches of Wales, did much to the house, and, as a tablet over the entrance
gateway records, "caused this tower to be builded in 1585." Other parts of the
building date from even earlier days, and the baronial hall is one of the finest in
the country. The estate, passing through the hands of several families, eventually
became the property of the late Lord de l'lsle and Dudley, a nobleman of great
culture, under whom the old buildings were carefully restored. From old drawings it would appear that
the gardens were never a great feature until they were laid out under his careful guidance, and he
was entirely responsible for their design.
The house is approached, on its north side, by a drive through the park, and the plan on Plate 14
shows that the gardens lie principally on its south and west sides. The ground slopes generally to
the south and west, and the house stands on a grass platform, raised about nine feet above the
garden level. On this platform is the garden or summer-house, a two storey building. Along the
south-west side of the flower garden is a broad grass terrace, and near the house a few steps lead