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

Retaining wall, balustrade and steps between the flower and parterre gardens, 1833 to 1842, part of Charles Barry’s remodelling of Trentham Hall and Gardens for the 2nd Duke of Sutherland.

PLAN: the structure stands between the flower garden, on the upper level to the north, and the lower parterre, to the south. It is linear, orientated roughly east-west, with a central set of semi-circular steps linking the levels.

MATERIALS: constructed from limestone ashlar.

DESCRIPTION: a low wall retains the ground between the upper and lower garden terraces, and is topped with a bottle balustrade with a moulded base and rails, articulated by squat square pillars. The pillars are now topped with vases, possibly replacements; these are missing on the two centre-most pillars. To the west, the wall terminates in a pavilion (Grade II-listed). At the centre of the wall, there is an opening with six shallow semi-circular steps linking the upper and lower terraces.