The legacy of Bridgeman, Kent & Brown

It was mainly Bridgeman, together with Kent, who created the basic structure of Richmond Gardens. 'Capability' Brown enhanced and developed this landscape further. All three were great masters of the English Landscape Movement, and Richmond was an important canvas for their thoughts and designs. As a Royal garden, Richmond was closely watched and commented on and the estate became a leader in garden fashion.

The 18th century Bridgeman-Kent-Brown landscape has been overlaid, first by the Nesfield-Hooker-Burton designs of the mid- to late19th century, and later by developments in the 19th and 20th centuries. However, several of Brown's landscape features can still be seen, notably the riverside ha-ha and the Hollow Walk, now the Rhododendron Dell. Bridgeman's individual features are difficult to identify, though it is likely that trees he planted still survive in the Gardens today.

Although Richmond Gardens have changed considerably since Brown's involvement, they still retain the pattern of open space and woodland that he inherited from Bridgeman and which he altered to his own design. The historically important 18th century structure of informal woodland punctuated by walks and glades continues to this day, as does the important clearing in the middle of Richmond Gardens that now contains the Syon Vista and the Lake.

Back to: 1700-1772: Two Royal Gardens