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The upper Woodland Walks are both pleasant and interesting and in spring time there are many different varieties of daffodils. (See separate Woodland Trail leaflet). At many points on a walk around the Gardens you will notice the beautiful stand of Cedars of Lebanon at the highest terrace level. While a few of these, previously part of a great semi-circle along the back ridge, have been lost in storms the remaining trees are still among the most impressive in all English gardens.
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Derelict Second World War buildings (no public entry)
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Accessed from the end of the Lion Terrace, The Daffodil Walk is a recent addition to the Garden. Started in Fall 2012, students plant daffodil bulbs every Fall. So far there are 59 different varieties. (See separate leaflet). There are beautiful views from this upper terrace, but do take care of the steep slopes which can be slippery when wet.
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Above the Lion Terrace sections of the Yew Hedge have been replanted. Additional clearing work has been completed and a stone bench added at the end of the Yew Walk.
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The Manor was positioned on a NW-SE axis, to make the best of the British climate. The mile-long drive has a terminal point on Bottesford church spire, with views of Belvoir Castle to the right. Half way down the drive is a remarkable 6-acre Walled Garden (see separate booklet).
Yew Walk
Woodland Walk (see separate leaflet) Gate (no access) Railway Tunnel entrance
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Previously known as the Baroque Fountain Terrace, two more of Mrs. Van der Elst’s lions, have caused this feature to become known as the Lion Terrace. The lions originate from Clumber Park and date to the 18th century. The centrepiece includes an altar and a shell grotto. The arch behind the fountain repeats the pattern of that over the former arch from the Forecourt into the (now) Pegasus Courtyard. This arch is now part of the Kitchen and Refectory, but is still a very visible feature. More of Gregory Gregory’s “supporting” characters can be seen holding the upper Lion Terrace platform. Long needed repairs to the Terrace began in 2009. Looking from the Lion Terrace toward the House, the Conservatory is seen on the left, and do make note of an interesting area seen on the right. A small, cloister like feature, now covered with wisteria vine, has two long benches inside, making for a wonderful reading and relaxing corner.
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Lion Terrace
Italian Garden
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Cimetière
Dutch Canal Pegasus Courtyard
Sports Hall
Front Circle
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To Bluebell Walk (see separate leaflet)
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The Italian Garden with its Summer House and colonnades provides a pleasant stop on the European Tour. Gift funding has allowed for replanting, with modern shrub roses, hydrangeas and tree peonies, and the purchase of urns and the armillary.
The statue at the top of the steps leading to The Dutch Canal is of St. Stanislaus Kostka, who died as a Jesuit novice at 18 years old in 1568, and is considered the patron saint of Jesuit novices. It dates from c. 1948-66 when the Jesuits occupied the Manor. The pedestal however is an original from Gregory’s time. A walk to the far end of the Dutch Canal reveals one of its “purposes.” The cupola of the Manor is reflected in the flat surface of the water. One of the “contrived natural” features of the Garden was found alongside the Dutch Canal. Benches at various levels on the grass terrace would have provided views overlooking a low yew hedge out to the parkland and the countryside. Over time the yew hedges were left untrimmed. They are now yew trees and provide a thick green border to one side of the Canal.
The statues that are at the top of the steps leading from the Front Circle depict Saint Guinefort, a dog-saint. A 13th century French legend tells the story of a man who comes home to find his dog with blood on its muzzle, and his little boy missing. He concludes hastily that the dog has killed the boy and in turns kills the dog in a fit of rage. A little while later the master hears a faint cry and finds the boy safe with a viper lying by his side, apparently torn to pieces by the faithful dog Guinefort. One statue shows the dog and boy in first a happy episode and in a playful embrace, while the other statue shows the dog protecting the boy from a viper.
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Visitor Car Park
Carriage House
From the Front of the Manor—the Front Circle, or Forecourt Gateway, is comprised of English Heritage listed Grade I gates, double entrance lodges, open screen work, and two of our famous lions (though all the lions—stone and bronze—were bought and placed by Mrs. Van der Elst in the late 1930s). The Forecourt is a major architectural element of Harlaxton Manor and is notable for the innovative use of Jacobean Revival style in combination with Baroque.
The Conservatory was designed as “a considerable extent of garden walk under glass, and including Cape and Australian plants in one part, palms and Scitamineæ in another, and Orchidàceæ in a third.” Loudon, 1840. As you walk around the Conservatory, imagine the House without it, as it was not in the original plans. Such structures were only “technically possible” (the iron support mechanisms) toward the later dates of the House construction. What a job it must have been for Mr. Burn to add this “small detail” for Gregory late in construction. Major repairs to the Conservatory were undertaken in 2003-04. Benches honouring all past principals, and the lovely curved bench across the lawn from the Conservatory, have been added recently to encourage more use of the beautiful Harlaxton Gardens.
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One enters the “garden proper” from the Forecourt by means of the Lion Steps. Directly beyond the gravel path are the first French-style grass terraces. Other such terraces are found at different levels of the Garden and usually included benches so the garden visitor might pause for a short rest and enjoy lovely vistas (contrived or natural!). The stone benches seen in this area are original features, c.1838-54. At this point, the visitor might turn to enjoy the sight looking over Harlaxton village and its church spire and across to nearby Belvoir Castle. Other Grade I listed features to view are the Gazebos. These would have had interior wooden steps in their early days to provide an even higher perspective over the vale. Two other very notable features on this side lawn terrace are the large iron gates (leading at the time to the treed parkland surrounding the front of the Manor, but now leading to farm fields) and the delicate low stone screen arcade separating areas of the grass terrace. Both of these features were moved from the old de Ligne-Gregory Manor in the village and thus can be dated to at least the 17th or early 18th century.