What is it about water in the garden? Are we attracted by the sound, the sight, the reflections that dance across the surface? It is sure that water elements in the garden attract humans and wildlife like flowers attract bees. There is something soothing and contemplative about water whether it be a still pond, or burbling brook or a roaring river, complete with waterfall.

This photo from Pittville Gardens in Cheltenham, UK includes yet another element of water features in the garden…a lovely bridge arching over the water, giving a new, higher, more expansive few of the entire view. It doesn’t seem to matter how large or small the bridge, it also attracts viewers much like the water itself.

[Pittville Gardens, Cheltenham, England] (LOC)

You can find detailed information on Pittville Gardens — which still exists — from the Cheltenham web site. 

“Opened in 1825, Pittville Park is the largest ornamental park in Cheltenham and features the magnificent Pump Room and lakes. This park is given a grade 2 listing under the English Heritage register of historic parks and gardens, with the Pump Room as a grade 1 historic building.” — Cheltenham.co.uk

Pittville Gardens, Cheltenham, England (LOC)

[Pittville Gardens, Cheltenham, England]

[between ca. 1890 and ca. 1900].

1 photomechanical print : photochrom, color.

Notes:
Title from the Detroit Publishing Co., Catalogue J–foreign section, Detroit, Mich. : Detroit Publishing Company, 1905.
Print no. “10728”.
Forms part of: Views of the British Isles, in the Photochrom print collection.

Subjects:
England–Cheltenham.

Format: Photochrom prints–Color–1890-1900.

Rights Info: No known restrictions on reproduction.

Repository: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA,hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Part Of: Views of the British Isles (DLC) 2002696059

More information about the Photochrom Print Collection is available athdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.pgz

Higher resolution image is available (Persistent URL): hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsc.08159

Call Number: LOT 13415, no. 181 [item]

Previously in Garden History:

Read more on this topic:

  1. Garden History: Whitworth Gardens, Darley Dale, Derbyshire, England
  2. Garden History: Mrs. Francis Lemoine Loring house, 700 South San Rafael Avenue, San Rafael Heights, Pasadena, California. (LOC)
  3. Garden History: “The Appletrees,” Henry Eugene Coe house, Southampton, New York
  4. Garden History: “Willowmere,” Rear Admiral Aaron Ward house, 435 Bryant Avenue, Roslyn Harbor, New York (LOC)
  5. Garden History: “Villa Sciarra,” George Wurts house, via Calandrelli, Rome, Italy. (LOC)