BRITISH GARDENS OF SYMMETRY

Whether they are formally called knot, herb, parterre or walled gardens, many gardens visible on Google Earth have symmetry

that can only be appreciated by looking from directly above;such a view is only rarely available at ground level.

The following sequence of 24 images demonstrates the great skill of gardeners in creating and maintaining such gardens,some from times long before the availability of modern accurate measuring tools.

COMPOSED AND COLLATED BY DAVE HAMBIDGE, PUBLISHED 14 SEPTEMBER 2009

ANTHONY HOUSE, CORNWALL

A classic and simple knot design with 780 feet of box hedging in a double layer, with grass between, within an almost perfect 30 feet sided square.

MOSELEY OLD HALL, STAFFORDSHIRE

The sequence of circles and quadrants in this late 20th century knot incorporates about 1000 feet of box hedging in a bed that is 70 by 40 feet.

LITTLE MORETON HALL, CHESHIRE

Planted in 1973 this knot has pale coloured shingle infill that shows the quadrafoil pattern visible on the exterior walls of this Elizabethan moated house. A total length of 760 feet of box hedging is wound into a bed that is 60 by 72 feet.

KEW GARDEN, LONDON

Two 'arrow heads' of areas to be planted are seen in this late winter image.

MOTTISFONT ABBEY, HAMPSHIRE

This relatively small knot was planted in 1936 and glows brightly from the infill of summer bedding plants...

ST. FAGANS, CARDIFF

… as does this knot garden with a fountain as central feature.

WIMPOLE HALL, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

A large knot in the pattern of flags contains nearly 2/3rd of a mile of box hedging with floral infill in a plot of 130 by 260 feet...

HAREWOOD HOUSE, YORKSHIRE

… whilst this classic parterre has a total of over 1¼ miles of box hedging in this single garden which is 76 by 333 feet in dimension.

WILTON HOUSE, SALISBURY

Since 1971, three symmetrical gardens have been planted at Wilton House...

CLIVEDEN, OXFORDSHIRE

… and this very large garden, 200 by 700 feet, contains 16 triangular beds with floral infill arranged in two avenues leading to two torque shaped rings.

ALNWICK CASTLE, NORTHUMBERLAND

Although the surrounding wall is irregular, the beds within are quite symmetrical...

COWDRAY PARK, WEST SUSSEX

… and those here are very nearly so...

HELMINGHAM HALL, SUFFOLK

… whilst this potager is a work of art. Note the two knots to the right side.

HAMPTON COURT, LONDON

Large estates often have more than one symmetrical garden, thus 3 here...

BARRINGTON COURT, SOMERSET

… and here...

POLESDON LACEY, SUSSEX

… and again here, or is it six?

CASTLE HOWARD, NORTH YORKSHIRE

Has four symmetrical gardens...

BODNANT GARDENS, NORTH WALES

...whilst there are at least five here...

HIDCOTE MANOR, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

… and here, but possibly more?

CRESSING TEMPLE, ESSEX

This mixture of knot and potager gardens totals six...

PITMEDDEN GARDEN, GRAMPIAN

… whilst this image of six symmetrical gardens neatly shows the seasonal change in colourswhere two different photographs have been overlaid.

CRANBORNE MANOR, DORSET

Eight symmetrical plantings can be seen in the grounds of this property...

HATFIELD HOUSE, HERTFORSDHIRE

… and here...

WEST GREEN HOUSE, HAMPSHIRE

… while a stunning array of nine can be viewed here.

The images are copyright to whichever name is shown on them.

The images are NOT to be copied or used from this publication for any purpose without the permission of the copyright holders, NOT from me!

I accept no responsibility for any actions taken by others that breach the above.

So there, be warned.

Enjoy and Have a Nice day wherever you are.

COMING SOONFRENCH AND GERMANGARDENS OF SYMMETRY