Statues in gardens

Statues can make gardens wildly exciting. Just think of the incredible Buddhist garden that Paul Merton saw in Ireland a fortnight ago. Not only were the sculptures extraordinary (and focused on sex) but they were carefully positioned so that they formed the focal points of vistas within the garden. I loved it. I might not really like the sculptures themselves, but the garden as a whole was a delight.

In contrast, at Hever Castle here in Kent, when the Astors took it over at the beginning of the 20th century, they  converted the interior of the moated manor house (that Queen Anne Boleyn was born in) to a modern house, built a mock-Tudor village for servants and guests and created a lake by flooding the River Eden. Inside the house you will find Anne Boleyn's magnificent and huge headboard. In a room over the entrance archway there is a lovely collection of torture instruments. Between the house and lake they created an Italian garden leading to an open air theatre on the edge of the lake.  Classical statues from the continent, are set in the garden. Individually, the statues are interesting, but the whole experience is a bit like walking through an old-fashioned museum. [I'm afraid I can't find my Hever photos at the moment. All I can do is refer you to their website: http://www.hevercastle.co.uk/Home/Gardens.aspx ]

At Groombridge Place,  near Hever , the moated manor house is in private hands and so is inaccessible to the public. A garden on the north side of the house, however, is open to the public.

The part nearest the house is a fairly formal arrangement of rooms. One of them surprises you with a giant chess board and pieces. The pieces are heavy enough not to blow over in even quite a strong wind.
 






A short journey along a canal leads to woodland which contains all sorts of things for children. A playground for the littler ones and then great tree-climbing adventurous options for the older ones.

The first thing you come across as you walk through the wood enchants young and old alike. It's a pond with big wicker dinosaurs around it. Well, perhaps they aren't dinosaurs. Bu you know what I mean.

 

 This one is definitely a dragon! It's got wings.






 Oh. And I forgot the Flowerpot Man by the restaurant, which all the kids love.

 

Here at Penshurst Place the 11 acres of formal gardens are divided into rooms.

The largest is the Italian Garden in front of the house. The focus is an oval pond (circular from the first floor State Rooms) with a gorgeous stone man standing above the fountains. He's accumulated a wonderful living yellow-green patina with age.

The Magnolia Garden has a square sunken area filled with magnolias. In the centre is a naked bronze Naiad standing on a leaf on a marble disc. It's a copy of one standing in Government House in Brisbane, Australia. In spring she hides behind the gorgeous blossom of the tress and in winter gathers snow.

There is a long path running between garden rooms which is interrupted by Diana's Bath with its fish, water lilies and fountain. Beyond it the path continues right to the east wall of the garden. There a small pond stands before a stunning bronze statue of an archer by Robert Rattray which was erected in 2009. The bow and arrow serve as a sundial. On either side of it is a topiary beast.







On the north is the Sidney porcupine and on the south,the Earl of Leicester's Bear and Ragged staff.

The Sidney porcupine, which doesn't look much like a porcupine yet. Give it a bit more time, I think.

 The Leicester Bear and Ragged Staff,however, look pretty good.
















And, finally, in one corner of the Flag Garden stands a bronze Porcupine by Robert Rattray which was erected in 2000. It stands in front of an arched entrance in the Yew hedging Coming through that doorway you are first awarer of the porcupine and only afterwards of the garden. I think it's brilliant.

More on statues in other gardens another day.