The secret life of the Georgian garden
The Secret Life of the Georgian Garden: beautiful objects and agreeable retreats, by Kate Felus, IB Tauris, 2016, 258 pages, 71 black and white illustrations, hardback, ISBN 978 I 784535 72 8.
Here is a book with the author’s personal stamp clearly on it. Writing in the first person singular, Kate Felus starts by describing how she lived and worked at Stowe, Bucks, at the time of the National Trust’s ‘epic restoration’ of the vast garden and its buildings, which began in 1989. From here she undertook a doctoral thesis (the basis of this publication) and now fully devotes her work to consultancy on gardens.
The secrets divulged here are sometimes risqué but mainly present for our consideration the serious reasons why Georgian gardens in the surroundings of the houses of the gentry and nobility contained so many buildings: follies, grottos, eye catchers, temples and so on, and their supplements such as walled plots and glasshouses. We have all seen these, whether dilapidated or thriving, but rarely give much thought to their original purpose. Surprisingly, The Secret Life breaks much new ground, both in its abundant sources, in the interpretation of the fabric that survives, and in the supporting documents. These cover lost buildings as well as those we may still behold.
Such buildings mainly addressed two big problems: the British climate and the crowded nature of domestic life in the houses where family and servants shared limited space. Escaping into the open spaces of the gardens and even into the farthest reaches of great parks, a sudden shower called for the welcome shelter of hospitable buildings.
Planned tours of gardens were laid on for guests. These could take the form of carriage drives round the estate. Such trips might pause for refreshment and entertainment. All of this is explained in the book, with ample evidence that reaches as far as suggesting what might have been on the menu for the outdoor meals. Where lakes were available, the entertainments could include fishing, boating or even the staging of mock sea-battles.
The Secret Life has much to offer. Its contents offer fresh insights into the significance of garden buildings for professionals as well as for a wider reading public. Both will enjoy its entertaining, lucid and thorough approach to a subject that has waited long for a specialist single-volume publication.
This article originally appeared in IHBC's Context 148, March 2017. It was written by Graham Tite, a conservation officer working on buildings and their parkland settings in Buckinghamshire.
--Institute of Historic Building Conservation
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Capability Brown.
- Exedra.
- Folly.
- Garden.
- Garden bridge.
- Gardens Trust.
- Georgian.
- Hardy Plants and Plantings for Repton and Late Georgian Gardens (1780-1820).
- IHBC articles.
- Jane Jacobs and garden villages.
- Landscape design.
- Rain garden.
- The Institute of Historic Building Conservation.
- The landscapes of Cambridge.
- Walled kitchen gardens of the Isle of Wight.
- Worcester’s Georgian churches.
IHBC NewsBlog
BRE/BEIS project to modernise home energy rating scheme
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has announced a new project with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to improve and modernise the home energy rating scheme used to measure the energy and environmental performance of UK homes.
Interdisciplinary IHBC accreditation recognised by CSCS for PQP Cards
Sector lead the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has recognised the IHBC’s professional accreditation and support (CPD etc.) in awarding its PQP (Professionally Qualified Person) cards.
IHBC Heritage Marketplace provides learning-led virtual engagement
The IHBC’s 2022 Aberdeen School Heritage MarketPlace (4.30-7.30PM, 15 June) is designed to extend the scope of a traditional IHBC School exhibition floor.
Unearthing the history of Gloucester’s 'the Fleece' Hotel starts
Work to repair a fire-hit medieval hotel in Gloucester is underway as crews have started work to strip back some of the modern trappings and reveal the historic framework.
Booking Open for IHBC Annual School: Aberdeen, 16-18 June 2022
Options for in-person and virtual delegates to explore ‘heritage on the edge’ across up to 4 days of IHBC engagement & learning.
European Heritage Heads Forum statement on Ukraine
The Secretariat to the European Heritage Heads Forum has has coordinated its declaration of solidarity and support for Ukraine’s cultural heritage institutions.
Welcome to #IHBC25 – 25 years since we turned professional
2022 will see the IHBC mark a quarter of a century since our incorporation as a professional body supporting and accrediting built and historic environment conservation specialists. We’re kick-starting it by inviting your ideas on how to mark this special year!
IHBC launches new Guidance Note on ‘Design sources for historic building conservation'
The IHBC’s latest Guidance Note adds to the institute’s open-access, online practitioner’s Toolbox.
England’s communities empowered to shape design of neighbourhoods
Twenty-five areas in England from Bournemouth to Carlisle have been awarded a share of £3 million to help them set their own standards for design locally. "move from a vicious circle of generic development to a virtuous circle of regenerative development".
IHBC at COP26 - Conserving our Places Conserves our Planet - Podcast
The IHBC seeks to raise awareness and understanding of how building conservation philosophy and practice contributes towards meeting the challenge of climate change.