Park Seat, Wall and Gates

Park Seat, wall, and gates are located in Shobrooke Park and were built around 1850 by T L Donaldson for John Henry Hippisley. This grand, ornamental canopied seat is designed in a Neo-Classical style and is made of stucco on brick with Portland stone dressings and cast iron gates. The large, semi-circular seat features an apsidal canopy and overlooks a landscaped valley to the west. It is flanked by columns with projecting blocks that have rusticated, moulded caps and ball finials on stools. The front arm of the seat is moulded and topped with a carved shell and scrolls, while a palmette acroterion decorates the structure. A simple, moulded cornice runs around the back, although the wooden seat itself is no longer present. There are three semi-circular steps leading to the front, and the seat is enclosed by a wall with moulded coping on a verniculated plinth that rises on each side and projects outward, featuring two posts on each side with settings for ball finials, which are lying nearby. The gate piers have simple pedimented caps, and the iron gates are decorated with scroll and palm motifs, honeysuckle cresting, and twisted finials. This seat serves as an eye-catcher from the nearby Sundial Terrace.