From the Archives

Today is the 233rd Anniversary of Lancelot "Capability" Brown's death.  It might have been appropriate if I had travelled out to Weston Park, where I have been visiting regularly over the last year to capture images for an exhibition I have been invited to put on at the park in September this year.  It is to celebrate the 300th Anniversary of his birth in 1716.

The weather however, has been dire and there was the little matter of Six Nations Rugby on the TV.  Fortunately I can present an image related to the landscape designer.  This is a copy of the plans drawn up the Capability Brown for Weston Park.  They are part of the archive held by Staffordshire County Council.  It is still possible to see components of the original design in the park today, thought the Menagerie and Dairy mentioned here are long gone.  Speaking to Weston Park's Curator he explained that at one time the park had a large area netted to keep exotic birds and animals (the menagerie), for the delectation of the owners and their guests.

I wonder if the original plans these copies were made from were actually draughted by Capability Brown?