Italian Garden About 100 Metres South East Of Westonbirt House, Including Camellia House To North

Very large formal garden approximately 85 metres by 65 metres, situated to the south east of Westonbirt House and including a Camellia House attached to its north wall. The end pavilions were probably designed in 1843 by Henry Edward Hamlen, with the remainder possibly designed by Robert Stayner Holford himself.

On the south side, at the east and west ends, are 2 large round-headed stone archways with shell crests flanking niches, obelisks and elaborate strapwork, which lead into an area of flower beds set in grass on 2 main levels, rising up towards the north. The garden is enclosed to the east and west by low moulded stone walls, and to the north by a tall rat-trap bond brick wall with closely set stone piers. A large overhanging moulded stone cornice with supporting brackets on a string course runs along this northern wall, with end pavilions and a central arch leading to the Camellia House.

Between the arches on the south side is a central round pond with large grotesque fountain heads to each side. The pavilions are constructed in brick with elaborate strapwork stone dressings and ogee fish-scale tile domes. They feature archways on three sides and arched niches to the north with ornamental stone seats and a mosaic floor. Iron straps support the stonework as an integral part of the construction. The pavilion to the east has an additional bay to the east with a raised niche at the east end, probably originally intended for a sculpture.

The central archway has square piers and a triangular pediment with carved ornament above and below, and opens over a round-headed arch into the small Camellia House. This is constructed of glass with an ornamental iron structure resembling a hammerbeam roof with circular motifs.

The garden remains unaltered in its layout and is a good example of the fashions of the period.