Third nature: Blenheim

Blenheim palace is an eighteenth-century house and park with a nineteenth century garden. The palace was designed by Vanbrugh c1705, with the original gardens by Henry Wise, which were later altered by English picturesque designer Capability Brown c1764. During the 1720s, the original landscape was canalised the River Glyme and the triumphal bridge was constructed. Following the commission of Brown, the canal was then adapted into a serpentine lake; he then naturalised the woodland with clusters of vegetation strategically placed creating the cascade. Later in the 1930s, Achille Duchêne was commissioned to create the water parterre beyond the west wing of the palace and replant the 'military' east avenue.

Traversing through third nature

1930s Water Parterre by Achille Duchêne

Grand axis altered by Capability Brown

Marlborough Topiary Maze

Butterfly garden

Life in Third Nature

Serpentine lake by Capabilty Brown commissioned in 1764 by the 4th Duke

Front elevation of the Palace

Central court elevation

Hyper-rural condition in the Blenheim estate

Column of Victory: Celebrating victory over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession