The Vyne - Summer House
The Vyne is a house and estate in Hampshire, UK, that is owned by the National Trust. The house was originally built in the early 16th century for Lord Sandys, Henry VIII's Lord Chamberlain.
The Summerhouse is possibly the earliest domed garden building in England, dating from c1635. Designed by John Webb, and built in the shape of a Greek cross, it is thought to be one of a pair planned for the garden and originally had a first floor which has now collapsed. Ornately decorated with plasterwork and richly painted, it was variously used as a banqueting house, a 'lust' house and a dovecote. Currently research is being undertaken into its original appearance and it will soon be undergoing restoration to its former glory.
Behind the Summerhouse is the ‘Hundred Guinea Oak’, so called because according to family legend, William John Chute declined to sell it to a passing timber merchant who offered 100 guineas for the wood. The wonderful oak tree is thought to be well over 600 years old.
On our visit in August 2006, the grounds were suffering from lack of rain. The wetlands were virtually dry and were occupied by grazing cattle instead of wading birds! The grass was also much less green than in other Flickr photos taken only a month before.
Tenuous Link: Sphere--> Dome
The Vyne - Summer House
The Vyne is a house and estate in Hampshire, UK, that is owned by the National Trust. The house was originally built in the early 16th century for Lord Sandys, Henry VIII's Lord Chamberlain.
The Summerhouse is possibly the earliest domed garden building in England, dating from c1635. Designed by John Webb, and built in the shape of a Greek cross, it is thought to be one of a pair planned for the garden and originally had a first floor which has now collapsed. Ornately decorated with plasterwork and richly painted, it was variously used as a banqueting house, a 'lust' house and a dovecote. Currently research is being undertaken into its original appearance and it will soon be undergoing restoration to its former glory.
Behind the Summerhouse is the ‘Hundred Guinea Oak’, so called because according to family legend, William John Chute declined to sell it to a passing timber merchant who offered 100 guineas for the wood. The wonderful oak tree is thought to be well over 600 years old.
On our visit in August 2006, the grounds were suffering from lack of rain. The wetlands were virtually dry and were occupied by grazing cattle instead of wading birds! The grass was also much less green than in other Flickr photos taken only a month before.
Tenuous Link: Sphere--> Dome