Ornaments in English Gardens

Author: Barbara Israel
Published: Wed, Apr 8th, 2020

The Uffizi Boar, Il Porcellino, in the landscape at Cottesbrooke Hall greeted us as we arrived.

Needless to say, when I visit English gardens, I take particular note of what and who have been chosen to populate the gardens. This summer I was treated to a number of such properties with some truly extraordinary statues. (Photo: The Uffizi Boar, Il Porcellino, in the landscape at Cottesbrooke Hall greeted us as we arrived.)

One of the finest gardens that I visited was at Cottesbrooke Hall in Northamptonshire. The house is primarily known for its exceptional Sporting Art, known as the Woolavington Collection that was assembled by the current owner’s grandfather. However, the property is also distinguished by an outstanding landscape embodying a great many rare and wonderful statues. The credit for the success of the gardens is attributed more to Lady Macdonald-Buchanan, whose family acquired the property in 1937, than to the landscape architects who have worked on it over the years.

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