Cascade To West Of Corby Castle

A substantial cascade and summer house dating between 1708 and 1729, constructed for Thomas Howard of Corby Castle. The structure is built of red sandstone ashlar and comprises a Venetian summer house leading to a cascade of four steps and an oval pond, all set within a terrace and alongside a river wall. The summer house features a shallow portico with a Venetian opening above which are carved figures representing mermaids, Neptune, and a lion. A dragon’s head water spout is positioned between the central columns, flanked by three-headed lions. Inside the summer house are statues of draped male and female figures. Arched steps form the cascade, one including a grotto behind, and descend approximately 10 metres to the pond. The pond formerly held a fountain, as depicted in Buck’s engraving of Wetheral Priory in 1739, but now contains a statue of Nelson. A retaining wall of sandstone, partly repaired with brick, borders the pond’s edge, with steps leading through an arched opening to create a water gate. The cascade was used for enacting plays written by Thomas Howard.