Richmond Gardens and Ormonde Lodge

In 1707 Richmond Lodge and its attached 58 acres of land was leased by James Butler, the Duke of Ormonde. He partially rebuilt the house, renaming it Ormonde Lodge, and incorporated William III's tree-lined avenue to the Thames into a larger garden design.

Ormonde created a 'wilderness' out of the existing woodland by cutting walks into it, including the impressive 'Diagonal Wilderness'. He also rented further fields to the north, extending his holding along the river on which he created his Riverside Terrace with its summer house and probable canal.

Ormonde's landscape creations at Richmond were described in 1714 by John Macky as: "A perfect Trianon [the late 17th century garden at Versailles], everything in it and about it answerable to the grandeur and magnificence of its great master ... There is a fine avenue that runs from the front of the house to the Town of Richmond at a half mile distance one way and from the other front to the Riverside, both inclosed with balustrades of iron. The gardens are very spacious and well kept. There is a fine terrace towards the River. But above all the woods cut out into walks with plenty of birds singing in it, make it a most delicious habitation."

Following the unsuccessful Jacobean Rebellion of 1715, the Duke of Ormonde (being one of their supporters) forfeited all his property, including Ormonde Lodge, which was moved into by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Back to: 1700-1772: Two Royal Gardens