Rousham Park is made up of a beautiful Gothic manor house, unique roman statues and perfectly appointed gardens – all designed by famous British architect William Kent.
William Kent is seen as one of the originators and pioneers of English landscape gardens, a “natural” style of gardening which become popular with various British estates. One of his finest pieces of English landscaping can be seen at the beautiful Rousham Park in Oxfordshire.
The gardens are still kept as they were intended and designed back in 18th century with its unique and key features such as its gorgeous cold ponds and cascade in Venus’s Value, walled garden with long double herbaceous borders and an array of Romanesque statues. In the 24 acres that make up this beautiful estate, you can also find the formal parterre, the cute pigeon house and a lovely range of espalier apple trees. There are also a variety of walks you can enjoy, including lush woodland and on the grounds you can also spot the rare Long-Horned cattle grazing.
As well as its stunning gardens, visitors can also visit the majestic manor house with prior arrangement. The house was first built in 1635, then remodelled in a gothic style by William Kent in the 18th century around the same time as he designed the gardens. Though altered, the house still contains its 17th century panelling and its amazing original staircase, you can also find some antique furniture, pictures and bronzes throughout this grand home.
To preserve its beauty and originality, this site is to this day uncommercialized and unspoilt meaning you won’t find any tea rooms or cafes. Enjoy this estate in utter peace for the day; bring your own picnic and a good pair of walking shoes and make the most of some of the best landscaped gardens and countryside Oxfordshire has to offer.
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Rousham House, Rousham, Bicester OX25 4QU | 01869 347110 | www.rousham.org
