Comments on: The Bath Stone Bridge, Halswell, Somerset

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 19 Mar 2022 08:08:02 +0000

In reply to Gail Falkingham. Halswell is certainly blessed with fine buildings. I can’t see a rotunda without thinking of you, Gail!

By: Gail Falkingham

Gail Falkingham — Sat, 19 Mar 2022 07:29:32 +0000

Such beautiful temples, just gorgeous ! The rotunda reminds me of a certain other structure & happy days of 'templing' at Leases/Croft!

By: Editor

Editor — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 08:06:02 +0000

In reply to Christine Beevers. Thanks Chris. Piper’s views of garden buildings are always a complete delight, and his photographs are a great visual record.

By: Christine Beevers

Christine Beevers — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 18:27:27 +0000

Really enjoyed this article. Many thanks. The Piper Exhibition of views of Georgian garden buildings sounds wonderful.

By: Editor

Editor — Sun, 06 Mar 2022 13:22:07 +0000

In reply to Julia Abel Smith. Hello Julia, and thanks. The house is being restored as a private home. The buildings behind the 18C block are older, and one section is Tudor House which you can rent for holidays. The FF and family stayed there recently and can highly recommend.

By: Julia Abel Smith

Julia Abel Smith — Sun, 06 Mar 2022 12:48:43 +0000

Fascinating and encouraging post, thank you FF.

What is the house used for now? I had forgotten the very large (Victorian?) wing behind.

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 10:33:20 +0000

In reply to Roger White. Good morning Roger. I knew you had taken Piper there, for which many thanks as the resulting paintings are wonderful. I really wanted to include the view of the bridge in this post, but sadly the copyright and image fees requested were beyond the means of my small non-commercial enterprise. The curious wall is secure, and can hopefully be restored/consolidated before too long. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

By: Roger White

Roger White — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 10:24:18 +0000

As Secretary of the Georgian Group I took the artist John Piper and his wife Myfanwy to visit Halswell in 1986. This resulted in two paintings, one of the cascade bridge and another of the curious architectural wall fronting the ha ha below the house. These were included in an exhibition of Piper’s views of Georgian garden buildings held at Marlborough Fine Art in 1987 to mark the Group’s Golden Jubilee.

By: Editor

Editor — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 14:43:32 +0000

In reply to Gwyn. It is wonderful to see the restoration progress in such capable hands. You will be pleased to hear that a copy of Follies, Grottoes and Garden Buildings can be seen in the hall!

By: Gwyn

Gwyn — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 09:11:56 +0000

Wonderful to see such meticulous, sensitive and witty restorations. When I first visited Goathurst (as I knew it) it was a scene of chaos, ruination and despair. What a transformation.