I have always loved summer evenings. I especially love English summer evenings after a rain shower, when the sky turns a golden color and the world sparkles with raindrops. Add to that the spectacular grounds of Asthall Manor in Swinbrook (near Burford, Oxfordshire) and the On Form stone sculpture show with 268 sculptures from 39 sculptors plus the chance to spend the evening with dear friends -- it felt like heaven.
Asthall Manor is a grand house in Swinbrook, near Burford, that dates back to the 17th century. It's most famous residents, the Mitford sisters, lived here from 1919 to 1926. It is now the private home of Rosie Pearson and her family. Rosie is the force behind the On Form show. Their lovely garden was designed by Isable and Julian Bannerman in 1997-98 and since then has been constantly evolving. It is one of the loveliest gardens I've seen. I can't decide which is more beautiful, the sculptures or the grounds. Combined, it's a sensual treat that is not soon forgotten.
St. Nicholas Church is right next to Asthall Manor. It dates from the 12th century and is a stunning chapel with original painted walls.
Shade by Mark Stonestreet
Portland by Louise Plant
Refuge by Aly Brown
Mother and Child by Emma Maiden
Indesity by Almuth Tebbenhof
Pianeta Arancione by Mel Fraser
Concentric Beast by Guy Stevens
Conversing by Tom Stogdon
Blue Tipped Angel by Dominic Welch
Fragment by Mark Stonestreet
Pisa Wings I and II by Paul Vanstone
Posture by Tom Stogdon
Portal by Mark Stonestreet
Anthropocene by Angela Palmer
Inside by Guy Stevens
Talking Profiles by Paul Vanstone
Sculpture by Neil Ferber
Long Ago by Rob Good
Ortolia by William Peers
Blue Angel and Carrara Angel by Dominic Welch
Cloth Caryatid by Paul Vanstone
On Form goes until July 10. It's such a lovely way to spend an afternoon or evening.
About 12 miles north of Oxford is the beautiful Rousham House and Gardens. The house was built in 1635 by Sir Robert Dormer and has been in continuous ownership of the same family since then. In the 18th century the house and gardens were remodeled in a free Gothic style by William Kent, the eminent English architect. Rousham really is a gem and well worth a visit.
The house is still a private home so tours of the house are by special appointment only. But the gardens are open for viewing and they are absolutely magnificent. There is a great deal of variety in the gardens from the bowling green, the walled kitchen garden, the pollarded orchards, the rose garden, and the cutting garden which had beautiful dahlias in bloom. There is also dovecot which is now really a pigeon house. There are an assortment of sculptures and small architectural gem beautifully placed throughout the grounds. Today the gardens where beautiful in their Autumn colors and I look forward to visiting in the spring or early summer when the secret garden is in its prime.
For more information:
http://www.rousham.org/visit
http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/rousham_house_and_garden
The brochure for gardens states that Rousham is uncommercial and unspoiled (I agree) with no tea room and no shop. Bring a picnic, wear comfortable shoes and it is yours for the day.
The River Cherwell flows through the back of the grounds. We had lunch not even a mile away at Kizzies Bistro in Lower Hayford situated right on the Oxford canal -- another place I recommend.
Every now and then I stumble into something here that completely takes my breath away and I am simply gobsmacked. The OnForm sculpture in stone at Asthall Manor was one of those moments. The beauty of the setting, the house, the garden, and the sculptures were a sensual feast I was not expecting. Thankfully these pictures explain far better than I could how beautiful this all is. The show is on through July 6. It is a not-to-be-missed experience. I'm already looking forward to next year.
"Watching Clouds" made of Carrara marble by Paul Vanstone
Asthall Manor dates from the 17th century. It's most famous residents, the Mitford sisters, lived here in the 1920s. It is now the private home of Rosie Pearson and her family.
In 1920 a former barn was converted to a ballroom and joined to the main house by a cloister.
The 6-acre garden was designed and landscaped by Julian and Isabel Bannerman in 1997-1998 and is constantly evolving. It is one of the most beautiful gardens I've seen.
St. Nicholas church at Asthall -- there has been a church on this site since 1071.
The village is idyllic and in a wonderfully scenic area of the Windrush Valley.
"Phoenix" made from Utah honey calcite by Katusha Bull
"Tintamarre" made in Patagonian onyx by Katusha Bull
"Ribbon Profile" made in Portuguese marble by Paul Vanstone
View of the meadow
"Stone Overlap" made in Tewksbury sandstone by Tom Stogdon
Childrens' playhouse
"War Horse II" made in Bath stone by David Klein
I have completely fallen in love with the house
"Another Holey Ghost" made in Limestone by Adrian Gray (This sculpture is one of my favorites!)
"Constance" made in Italian Marble by William Peers
"Changing Landscape" made in slate, lead, and found material by Tom Stogdon
This was another one of my favorites. It is the curve of the London Thames with it's iconic buildings made in stone. There was another one of Oxford made in a similar fashion and in display in the ballroom.
The garden was every bit as beautiful as the sculptures -- creativity in a different art form.
I'm currently reading The Mitford Girls by Mary S Lovell. It tells the true story of the six Mitford daughters who lived in Asthall Manor in the 1920's - and the facts are as sensational as any novel: Nancy, whose bright social existence masked an obsessional doomed love which soured her success; Pam, a countrywoman married to one of the best brains in Europe; Diana, an iconic beauty, who was already married when at 22 she fell in love with Oswald Moseley, the leader of the British fascists; Unity, who romantically in love with Hitler, became a member of his inner circle before shooting herself in the temple when WWII was declared; Jessica, the family rebel, who declared herself a communist in the schoolroom and the youngest sister, Debo, who became the Duchess of Devonshire (Chatsworth House).
