Tuesday 28 May 2013

This Way...

...to The Menagerie.  Once part of Coombe Abbey.  





What you see here is the 18th Century, Grade II listed lodge which is part of The Menagerie.  Designed by Henry Holland and built to replicate the menagerie at the Palace of Versailles. What looks like an observatory once had two grand hexagonal rooms which were used for entertaining. It overlooks the lake with gardens designed by Capability Brown.





It was built for Coombe Abbey’s Craven family as a garden folly and menagerie, where they could keep animals and bring visitors to on summer days.  The present owners suggest that there is no evidence of animals ever living there except for a 16ft-18ft high wall that encircles the garden right down into the lake.


Yesterday I posted a view from the lake.  Above is the view from the lodge across the former deer park.  The lodge is behind me.  For a long period of time the property was derelict and sadly if suffered from vandalism.  In 2004 it was divided in to 5 lots and sold.  So there we have 'The Menagerie'.

Taking part in Our World Tuesday,

15 comments:

Fun60 said...

This looks like a wonderful park to wander around. Can you also visit the lodge?

Unknown said...

Great tour!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Tanya Breese said...

wow, it sure is beautiful!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Gosh that's quite a history LOL. I see from the link that it started off as a monastery in the 12 th century and has had many changes since then. The very high wall around the garden does indicate that they at least were prepared for animals, whether they actually had any or not may remain a mystery I guess. It's a really lovely spot.....picnic time haha!

Daryl said...

back from paris and catching up ... slowly

Kim, USA said...

Wow this park is awesome! I so love going to a park and wander around at the same time taking photos of anything that catches my eye. Thanks for sharing the photos and the visit too.

Kim,USA

LONDONLULU said...

It looks so lovely! Very much enjoyed the history lesson too - so many layers of history everywhere you look there! (Thanks for the little note on Mr. L and San Diego, I've never been but I've heard such nice things about the city!)

TheChieftess said...

What a beautiful spot to visit!!! And such a gorgeous day!!!

Unknown said...

Another good old building. You sure do manage to find them

sweetbriardreams said...

What a great tour. I love these follies that the grand houses had built. Thanks for visiting my blog, I'm glad you did as I have now also found you! Take care. Chel

Jack said...

This would be quite a place to wander around. It seems especially photogenic.

Petrea Burchard said...

I don't suppose you ever get tired of all that lovely green, do you?

I'm glad the property is being cared for.

Unknown said...

Garden folly. I like that! :-) Lovely pics taken on a lovely day.

LOLfromPasa said...

Many thanks to you all. It is a wonderful walk as part of Coombe Country Park. This area is just beyond where 'my' tree is.

Thank you too for those little 'personal notes'. All noted :).

Liz said...

Thanks for the tour!
I love the UK countryside.