Ornamental Garden Alcove At Long Fox Manor

This is an ornamental garden alcove dating from around 1820. It was constructed in the grounds of what was originally Brislington House, the first purpose-built lunatic asylum in the country, founded by Dr Edward Fox. The alcove, designed by an unknown architect, exemplifies the humane approach to patient care prevalent in Regency pleasure grounds.

The alcove itself consists of a curved wall built of rough pennant stone, supporting a roof made of long pennant stone slabs. A rough column with capping supports the roof. A circular viewing platform is reached by a winding slope to the north and a winding staircase to the south. The platform features a rough stone bench ornamented with sarsen stones, arranged in a horseshoe shape around a large pennant stone table. Low cast iron railings are positioned in front of the table. The alcove and platform are located within grounds registered with English Heritage as a Historic Park and Garden.