Water Terrace Gardens, West Terrace

BLENHEIM SP41NW, SP4416 2/38, 8/38 Water Terrace Gardens, West Terrace

GV II Water Terrace Gardens. 1925-30, by Achille Duchene for Ninth Duke of Marlborough. West Terrace is bounded by limestone ashlar walls, with steps to north and south; tall wall to east has rusticated pilasters to walls bounding steps which rise to upper East Terrace (q.v.) and central row of caryatids flanking rusticated niches with vasques forming miniature cascades. Two square ponds, with limestone ashlar retaining walls have Bernini Fountain (q.v.) to north pool and copy of Bernini Fountain to south pool. Large decorative earthenware urns stand at corners of pool and flank north and south steps. To east of pools is low wall, with 3 sets of steps to raised walk adjoining East Terrace (q.v.): steps to centre are flanked by sphinxes by W. Ward Willis, 1930, which depict Ninth Duke's second wife, and. lead statuettes of angels standing on fluted Doric columns; steps to sides flanked by similar angels and cloaked putti holding swags. Lead statues on limestone ashlar pedestals to north-east and north-west corners of terrace, depict warriors holding swords and shields. Limestone ashlar garden seats on console supports. (Blenheim Park is included in the HBMC Register of Parks and Gardens at Grade I; Builidngs of England: Oxfordshire: pp474-5; D. Green: Blenheim Palace: 1951)

Listing NGR: SP4398215972