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Sezincote
A little bit of the Far East in the Cotswold countryside, Sezincote
is a unique house built in the style of a Rajasthan palace.
The House
Charles Cockerell served with the East India Company in Bombay. In 1798
he inherited the Sezincote estate from his brother John. Charles, later
Sir Charles, employed his own brother, Samuel Pepys Cockerell, as architect
to construct a new house and garden at Sezincote, using as a blueprint
the elaborate oriental palaces of Rajasthan. SP Cockerelll had already
been employed creating the nearby estate of Daylesford, but here he
was encouraged to create an extravagant house in the Mogul style, with
a central dome and minaret, set off in a formal arrangement of a curving
orangery and canal garden. Sezincote was used by architect John Nash
as a model for the extravagant Brighton Pavilion.
The Garden
There are two gardens at Sezincote, the formal canal garden beside the
house, and a more informal stream garden near the entrance to the grounds.
The most immediately recognizable aspect of the formal garden are two
large statues of elephants which act as a focal point for a formal
canal leading from the house to a nearby hill. The curving orangery opens
into the garden, and when the weather is fine the orangery doors are
open, creating a space that is both indoors and outdoors at once.
The
informal garden was created with the aid of Thomas Daniell and
Humphrey Repton. It is approached
over an Indian Bridge, which gives way to winding paths along a stream,
where bog-loving plants flourish. At the top of the property is a fountain
pool punctuated at one end by a small temple to a Hindu sun god.
Stepping stones lead across the stream and under the bridge,
where stone benches let visitors sit out of the sun and enjoy the
view down the garden slope. The gardens offer plenty of summer interest,
and in the Autumn the colours are superb.
If you interested in the Cockerell family of Sezincoite you might
enjoy a quick trip to the neighbouring parish of Longborough,
where the parish church of St
James contains the Sezincote Chapel, with
memorials to the Cockerell and Rushton families.
Getting there
Sezincote is a bit off the normal Cotswold tourist map, which is both
a blessing and a curse. A blessing, for you are unlikely to be crowded
by a crush of visitors, a curse because it can be a bit hard
to find if you're not sure of your way. The house is accessed via
a minor road off the A44 at the northern boundary of Bourton
on the Hill. The signposting is a bit haphazard, so you'll have to
keep your eyes open for the turnoff into a small graveled parking
area. Able-bodied visitors will have to park and walk downhill
a few hundred yards to the garden entrance to the grounds. Visitors
with mobility problems are allowed to drive right to the gates for
access. The main drive to the house is level, but the informal garden
area is on a slope.
Our verdict
We lived in the area of Sezincote for almost two years before making
time for a visit. I wish we hadn't waited. The gardens are simply
a delight in summer. Though small by comparison to many larger and
more famous gardens, the effect is one of peace and tranquility,
with a wonderful variety of colour and species. The gently meandering
stream, the oriental fountain pool and bridges, make for an extremely
enjoyable amble. Closer to the house, the formal garden area is attractive,
though perhaps not so enticing. The orangery provides a lovely space
to sit and enjoy the view over the canal. Sezincote is one of our
favourite gardens.
For Families
Though there is space for children to wander through the gardens, Sezincote
is not really set up to appeal to family groups. The house is off-limits
to younger children, which is a shame. Our children enjoyed the elephant
statues at the head of the formal garden, and also enjoyed sitting
on the benches under the bridge, but that was about the extent of
the attraction for the younger generation.
The house and gardens have limited opening hours, so please check
with the official website (below) before planning a trip.
Details
Sezincote
Bourton on the Hill
Cotswolds
Gloucestershire
England
Location: On a minor road off the A44 on the outskirts of Bourton on the Hill. Seasonal opening. Children are not generally admitted to the house
Website: Sezincote
Email: enquiries@sezincote.co.uk
OS SP172312
Nearby:
Longborough
Stow on the Wold
Moreton in Marsh
Related:
Cotswolds
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