Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown’s visionary landscape designs brought him lasting fame, punctuating the natural environment to this day with serpentine rivers, rich woodland and palatial views.
What many people forget about Capability Brown is that he also designed buildings and monuments within his commissioned landscapes. Surviving examples are rare and often protected by listing.
Here are 5 of the structures he is less famous for.
The Burton Pynsent Column, Somerset, Grade I listed
Sometimes referred to as the ‘Cider Monument’, this 140-foot column stands in dedication to the memory of Sir William Pynsent.
Pynsent was a successful businessman in the Somerset cider trade and owner of a sizable estate. In 1763, when the government of the time were considering putting a higher tax on cider, William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham came to the rescue and strongly opposed the proposal. Pynsent was so thrilled by this support that upon his death, and to his family’s horror, he bequeathed his entire estate to the Earl.
Pitt commissioned Capability Brown to design the Grade I listed column, and the Grade II listed surrounding landscape in homage to its generous benefactor.
Gothic Bath House, Corsham, Wiltshire, Grade I listed
As well as ‘naturalising’ the grounds and remodelling the house of the former Crown Estate, Brown also designed the Grade I listed gothic bath house of Corsham Court.
The health fad of the late 18th century prescribed a cold regime said to increase life expectancy: cold baths, cooling food, spending time outdoors, and exercise. Purpose-built bathhouses were often situated away from the main property, close to a water source.
Scampton Bridge Building, North Yorkshire, Grade II* listed
Scampston Hall and Park in North Yorkshire is a grand stately home and gardens, built in the late 1600s.
In the late 18th century, its owner first employed garden designer Charles Bridgeman and then Capability Brown to landscape the park. As well as installing a serpentine lake, Brown also designed the iconic feature of the Bridge Building, which cleverly conceals the end of a sheet of water and closes the view. It is Grade II* listed.
Stowe’s Lord Cobham’s Column, Buckinghamshire, Grade I listed
Built in commemoration of Lord Cobham’s service to his country as a soldier and statesman, and commissioned by his wife, the 115-foot tall octagonal column features a statue of Lord Cobham depicted in Roman armour.
The Grade I listed statue is placed atop a belvedere, a platform reached via a spiral staircase offering spectacular views of the gardens at Stowe.
Combe Abbey’s Menagerie and Farm Buildings, Warwickshire, Grade II listed
In 1770, Capability Brown was given full artistic licence by the Earl of Craven to lay the landscape of Combe Abbey.
The menagerie building is hidden in woodland, across the serpentine lake which was a familiar feature in Brown’s designs. The central building was designed for the owner and his guests to view the menagerie’s exotic animal collection in comfort.
After sadly falling into disrepair, the Grade II listed building was recently restored and is now a private residence.
Further reading
- 7 Fine Examples of Georgian Buildings
- A Brief Introduction to Garden and Park Structures
- How Do You Protect a Historic Garden?
- A Guide to the English Landscape Movement
Amazing landscape designs plus great building designs are a perfect combination. Landscape designers know well on how to combine the landscape with the building structure.