Introduction
Old Sleningford has a landscape park associated with a hall. Features include a lake with islands, woodland, a walled kitchen garden and herbaceous borders. There is also a mill and associated buildings.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Access contact details
http://www.oldslen.fsnet.co.uk/osh.htm
Owners
James and Juliet Ramsden
- History
The current site was created largely in the early-19th century. The estate was originally part of the lands belonging to Fountains Abbey. The abbey was a Benedictine and later a Cistercian monastery which was dissolved in 1539. After the dissolution the site became a seperate estate.
General Kitchinman Hutchinson carried out much of the work in the early-19th century. A beech wood, a terrace walk, a small lake with islands and a mill was created. The General's daughter, Miss Staveley was responsible for the trompe-l'oeil decoration of the summerhouse. This art technique creates an optical illusion through the use of extremely realistic painting. It is usually used to create a sense of space.
During the late-20th century further work was carried out in the gardens with some guidance from the late Brenda Colvin.
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Features
- Ornamental Lake
- Description: An ornamental lake with islands.
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- Summerhouse
- Description: A summerhouse with trompe-l'oeil decoration.
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- Garden Building
- Description: Stables.
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- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Domestic / Residential
Survival
Extant
Hectares
20
Open to the public
Yes
Civil Parish
Ripon
- References
Contributors
Penelope