Series Of Garden Terraces To South Of Westonbirt House

A series of ornamental garden terraces located to the south of Westonbirt House were constructed between 1863 and 1870, possibly designed by Lewis Vulliamy in conjunction with the house. The terraces feature five flights of steps that lead down to a circular pool with a central fountain and an ornamental stone seat at the southern end.

About halfway down, the retaining ashlar terrace walls expand into two quadrants, which include small square piers and four large gadrooned ornamental urns that match those on the terrace immediately south of the house. The top terrace is approximately 85 meters long, extending from the churchyard wall of the Church of St. Catherine on the west to the eastern flight of steps. It has a trefoil pierced parapet on the south side, complete with moulded coping and polygonal end piers that feature blind trefoil arcading and strapwork frieze beneath shallow domed caps.

Shell niches and strapwork stone ornament curve from the piers into the central and end steps. A stone seat is located at the west end, sheltered by a semi-circular plain wall against the churchyard wall. These terraces are an integral part of the formal setting of Westonbirt House.