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FABULOUS FOLLIES
...and Landscape Curiosities

WEST BRETTON, West Riding

Bretton Hall Archway Lodge                         SE 289 131

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  William Atkinson designed a triumphal arch with   Roman Doric columns, for Colonel and Mrs Beaumont,   as the main entrance to Bretton Park.   

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Other Yorkshire triumphal arches include:

ASKE High Lodge
BAGBY Thirkleby Hall Lodge
FORCETT AND CARKIN Forcett Hall East Lodge
HAREWOOD Harewood Park Gateway
NEWTON-ON-OUSE Newton Lodge 

Bretton Park Boathouse                                   SE 274 122

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The Boathouse at Bretton Park was probably part of Thomas Wentworth's landscape. It is now separated from the Upper Lake because of silt deposit. It has recently been restored.

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Bretton Park building                                     SE 282 127

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Stones

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Bretton Park Camellia House                      SE 282 127

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The Camellia House at Bretton Park dates from about 1812 and was designed by Jeffry Wyatt for Thomas Richard Beaumont and Diana Beaumont.

Deer Shelter

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The Deer Shelter at Bretton Park is now a James Turrell Skyspace.

​James Turrell also designed the Cat Cairn Skyspace at Kielder, Northumberland. 

Greek Temple                                                     SE 276 124

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The Greek Temple at Bretton Park was probably built in the early 18th century as a summerhouse from which to view the Shell Grotto and Bath House across Upper Lake.

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Bretton Park Grotto                                           SE 278 123

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The Grotto at Bretton Park was probably based on a drawing by William Lindley. it is on the banks of Upper Lake in Bath Wood.

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Lady Eglinton's Well                                        SE 289 123

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In Oxley Bank Wood, in Bretton Park, is an early bath house with an eroded inscription, which reads:

This well was built by Right Honourable Grace Countess of Eglinton .....1685....Relic of Sir Thomas Wentworth and... Earl of Eglinton

Grace married Alexander Montgomerie the 8th Earl of Eglinton after Thomas's death in 1675.


Menagerie                                                                  SE 283 123

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The Obelisk                                                            SE 276 124

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It is thought that the column, known as The Obelisk, was erected to mark the site of the old Bretton Hall, which  was demolished after Sir William Wentworth built the present Bretton Hall in about 1720.

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Bretton Park Pyramid                                     SE 283 126

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The Pyramid, near to the Lake at Bretton Park, was deigned and built in 1963 by Professor Derek Linstrum to hide pumping equipment. The concrete structure has mellowed and has a certain appeal alongside the iconic sculptures in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Other pyramids can be seen at:

Hampshire NETHER WALLOP
Norfolk BLICKLING
Sussex BRIGHTLING
Yorkshire West Riding BRAMPTON BIERLOW            Yorkshire West Riding HUNTWICK WITH FOULBY & NOSTELL
                                                                           Yorkshire West Riding SHAROW
                                                                         



Copyright Ray Blyth 2018