S t o w e  G a r d e n s

P a l l a d i a n  B r i d g e

&  L a m p o r t  C a s c a d e

The gravel path through Hawkwell Field from the Gothic Temple and its Cedar trees, leads down to the Southeastern corner of the park, to an area known as the Lamport Gardens and the Octagon lake.

A Palladian Bridge, was often regarded as a true symbol of the elite. Palladian-ism is an architectural design, based on the works of Andreas Palladio, an Italian architect from the 16th century, who based his ideas and works on the buildings and designs of Rome. The original English version of this architectural form, was built by the Earl at Pembroke at Wilton house in Wiltshire, another being found at Prior Park in Bath, being built sometime later.

This Palladian Bridge built at Stowe, being erected in 1742, is a very grand affair, spanning the upper river of the Octagon lake, and being more richly detailed than the other two designs, with carved masks on the keystones and decorated pediments. The design was lower than the original prototype at Wilton, with a drive to allow carriages to be driven through the colonnade, and being approached by shallow ramps at either end. Hawkwell Fields perimeter carriage drive, allowed ever-changing views, to the different buildings in their contrived settings.

The eastern side of the bridge once contained not columns, but a solid wall, with Scheemaker's huge relief of the four quarters of the world bringing tributes to Brittannia, flanked by full length paintings of Sir Walter Raleigh and William Penn, by Francesco Sleter. This was reduced later to a triangle, and added to the pediment of the Temple of Concord and Victory.

Inside, The plaster ceiling is by Giovanni Borra, added in 1762 and based on an engraving found in Robert Wood's "Ruins of Palmyra".

Below: Magnificent views looking west from the bridge, along the upper river to the Octagon lake. Perhaps from the lofty height of a carriage, the drivers were offered the greatest views of all..

I applied a filter to the photograph below, the view down the river and to the octagon lake is serene..

L a m p o r t  C a s c a d e

To the east of the Palladian Bridge, and often overlooked by the visitor to the gardens, is a rocky cascade forming an inlet at the head of the river.

The path from the forthcoming Chinese House to this cascade is firmly sealed by a gate, but a tricky, and somewhat risky, detour through the laurels on the narrow riverbank allows for these views..

Below: Looking back towards the Palladian Bridge from the Cascade.

The proper way to the Cascade, following the locked staircase down from the Chinese House, is shown below.

Below: The door to the Japanese Gardens and the Lamport Lodge is firmly sealed, perhaps the entrance to a true secret garden.. Certainly private!

 

 

 

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