Thomas Wright & Halswell House Study Day
Wednesday 14 May 2008

Who was Thomas Wright (1711-86) and where can we still see evidence of his extraordinary designs? How is the 'lost' eighteenth-century designed landscape at Halswell in Somerset linked to Thomas Wright? Are some of the surviving structures in the landscape inspired by Wright's drawings or copied from structures in other gardens? Or did Wright actually design the garden buildings himself, specifically for Sir Charles Kemys-Tynte (1710-1785) the owner and creator of these unique gardens?

The discovery of a previously forgotten garden is tantalising, and perhaps Halswell is more than just a curiosity - the creation of a gentleman who spent his life and much of his fortune building and landscaping in his own eclectic style. It is now thought that one of the architects and designers employed by Sir Charles was Thomas Wright, the Wizard of Durham, eccentric amateur astronomer, architect and designer who was passed around the grand houses of rich gentry during an intense period of enthusiastic garden-making in the mid eighteenth century.

In the morning four speakers, who have made studies of either Wright or Halswell, will present new research on Wright and examine evidence from the garden buildings at Halswell and at other Wright sites and set the landscape within the social context of the period.

Speakers are:

  • Sue Shephard, MA Garden History, University of Bristol (2003)

    • Sue discovered Halswell whilst researching her dissertation Three Gentlemen in Arcadia. She is the author of several books including Seeds of Fortune - A Gardening Dynasty.
  • Judy Preston, Currently taking the Bristol MA course.

    • Judy is preparing a dissertation on Thomas Wright.
  • Eileen & John Harris

    • Eileen & John are eminent architectural historians and experts on Wright's architecture and landscape designs. Their monograph on Thomas Wright will be published in 2009.

Delegates will be encouraged to contribute their ideas and knowledge to this study day. We have allowed two and a half hours after lunch to explore the extensive landscape with its scattered temples, dams and rockwork screens, some of which have been attricubted to Wright. This will be followed by an hour of discussion over tea when participants can air their views and perhaps reach some conclusions about the significance of the Halswell landscape and its connection with the mysterious Thomas Wright.

There will be breaks for coffee, lunch and tea which will be served in the house.

Please note that although some of the garden buildings have been restored, several other structures are still semi-derelict and can only be reached through rough and possibly muddy fields; come prepared with stout footware and waterproofs.

For further information about the Study Day and details of how to get to Halswell House please email sue.shephard@blueyonder.co.uk. Tickets, to include refreshments, cost £30 full price and £25 concessions, and numbers are limited.

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