Moon Garden,

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

An enclosed garden measuring 16 by 8 metres - a double square - set on sloping ground in a position approximately half way between the southern corner of the large walled garden on the location of the original Fruithill House. Enclosed by stone wall trimmed with brick, with brick coping it is entered by round head doorways in the side walls. At the top end raised up some five steps a sitting area part covered by two square pavilions with pagoda-like tiled roofs with square openings and supported on the enclosing walls and free standing single brick pier. The back wall of this sitting area has two rows of small recesses along its length, the recesses intended to have ceramics placed in them. At the lower end a large circular opening, perfectly round, trimmed with brick acts as a lens or viewer, but what one is to see in either the near or distance it is difficult to comprehend unless it is a rising moon in late autumn. Perhaps the ruins of Drumachose old church but this is not quite on the axis. The glen cannot be the object nor is it the Italianate garden now overgrown. The garden has a series of broad steps leading from top to bottom with stone paving between each step. There is a minimum of planting within. However it has a certain Lutyen’s quality, such as he employed at Lambeg Island.

Historical information

This garden was designed and erected in 1968 by Frances Rhodes from Somerset and she stayed in one of the estate houses during the period. It is on the site of a former dovecote which is indicated on the 1830 map.

Reference:
Mrs Welch. (occupant of Streeve House HB02/11/006)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

An interesting example of a garden gazebo with Lutyenesque aspects.