In the eighteenth century, landscape design took a dramatic u-turn, and this talk is about that significant change, seen through the ‘eyes’ of the estates at Whetham and Bowood, near Calne. At the beginning of the century, an ethos of linear geometry reigned, and Whetham was at the forefront of fashion, but by the second part of the century this geometric style had been swept away by ‘Capability’ Brown and his contemporaries. The change was startling, with ornamental lakes becoming the height of fashion – like the beautiful one we see at Bowood today.

By Wendy Bishop, PhD – a specialist in garden history, whose book Ornamental Lakes: their Origins and Evolution in English Landscapes  is published in June.

Tickets – £7 per screen (£4.50 WANHS Members). Booking essential – use the button below.
Ticket sales close at 5pm on the day of the lecture.

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The event is due to start at 7.30pm and will be held ONLINE using Zoom Webinars.

The link will be sent to ticket holders on the day of the event.

Wendy is also leading a walk from Sandy Lane into the Bowood landscape on 20 June – click here for details.