Hamilton Gardens – The Tudors have arrived
Filled with mythical beasts and intricate knot gardens, Hamilton Gardens unveiled its internationally-significant Tudor Garden on Thursday, 29 January 2015.
Peter Sergel, Hamilton Gardens Director, says this traditional garden – nestled alongside the Waikato River - reflects the fascination 16th century English aristocracy had with geometric patterns and symbolism. “The style is also very distinctive because of the use of beasts and animals on poles, which were very common in fantasy gardens.” The Garden adds another history-based chapter to the Hamilton Gardens award winning concept of the “story of gardens”.
“There has been a lot of sponsorship for this garden and it wouldn’t have happened without that support. This includes the mythical beasts, to the Tudor pavilion that was sponsored by E.B Firth Charitable Trust,” Mr Sergel says.
Under construction for three years, the knot garden designs are based upon the drawings by Didymus Mountain – The pen name of 16th Century writer Thomas Hill.
Carved mythical beasts perch on green and white striped poles throughout the Garden and hold sculptural crests of some of the “rock stars” of Tudor times including privateer Sir Francis Drake, who was notorious for his many plunderous journeys sanctioned by Elizabeth I.
Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads destroyed many of the world’s original Tudor Gardens with neglect ruined those that remained. There are only a handful of gardens worldwide that have fully recreated this form of fantasy garden.
The Garden is the third Fantasy Collection garden to open, and is the first of another four proposed gardens to be constructed in the next few years. It will be followed by the Concept Garden, Mansfield Garden, Picturesque Garden and Surrealist Garden.
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