Retaining wall, balustrade and steps between the flower and parterre gardens, Trentham Gardens

The retaining wall, balustrade, and steps between the flower and parterre gardens at Trentham Gardens were built between 1833 and 1842 as part of Charles Barry’s redesign of Trentham Hall and Gardens for the 2nd Duke of Sutherland.

The structure is positioned between the upper flower garden to the north and the lower parterre to the south. It runs in a linear fashion, oriented roughly east-west, featuring a central set of semi-circular steps that connect the two garden levels.

Made from limestone ashlar, the low wall retains the ground between the upper and lower terraces and is topped with a bottle balustrade that has a moulded base and rails, supported by squat square pillars. The pillars are currently topped with vases, which may be replacements, and the two center pillars are missing their vases. To the west, the wall ends at a pavilion that is also listed as Grade II. In the middle of the wall, there is an opening with six shallow semi-circular steps that provide access between the upper and lower terraces.