Temple Of Flora

The Temple of Flora, originally a bowling house, now serves as the public entrance to the gardens. It was built between 1693 and 1695, likely by William Talman, and was relocated to its current position around 1765. The structure is made of sandstone ashlar and features a roof that is concealed behind parapets. It has a square plan, with the south front showcasing four fluted Roman Doric columns, a triglyph frieze, a moulded cornice, and a three-bay balustraded parapet supported by piers that hold four urns. The side walls are plain, while the north wall is adorned with broad pilasters that have deeply carved drops of drapery and fruit. Inside, the side walls contain blind doorways with moulded architraves and panels above, flanked by half-domed niches with sunk panels. The back wall features a large half-domed niche with a doorway at the bottom and a sculpture above, also flanked by half-domed niches and sunk panels. The interior is finished with a moulded cornice and a coved ceiling. The Gardens and Park surrounding the temple are registered at Grade I.