Weeping Willow Tree by the Pond, The Rockery, Rock Garden, Preston Park, Brighton, England UK
The Rockery—the largest municipal rock garden in Britain built up the side of a steep railway embankment. Various pathways and streams wind through its grounds. It was originally a wooded area which had been purchased along with the land used for the main park; it was landscaped into its present form in 1935 by Captain B Maclaren. Originally, the area was known as "The Rookery", referring to the tall trees in the former wood which were frequented by rooks. Over time, the name was modified into "The Rockery". Based on the Chinese Willow Pattern It is said that the inspiration for the Rockery came from the Chinese story of the Willow Pattern. 1350 tons of Cheddar stone were brought from Somerset to create it. Its stepping stones, twisting paths, steps and a bridge were designed to integrate with foreign plants and pond life. Although the origin of the name may well have originated from the inhabitants of the trees in the area, the Rookery was in fact named after the very large Victorian house called the Rookery that occupied the site of the rock garden until its demolition in the 1930s. It was the largest mansion in the Preston Road and had a lodge house adjoining the tennis courts and bowling greens. It appears on several postcards issued in the Edwardian period. It is a great shame that the original name appears to be in danger of being forgotten. The surrounding neighborhoodd is also widely referred to as Preston Park. It is distinct from the further outlying Preston on the site of a railway embankment, using 1350 tonnes of stone from the Cheddar Gorge, the rock garden opened in 1936. Winding stone paths, steps and a rustic bridge follow the rocky cascade through different levels of the garden leading to a kidney-shaped pool. A walk to the top of the rockery reveals stunning views over the park, Preston Manor and St Peter’s Church.
Size: 2848px × 4288px
Location: The Rockery, Rock Garden, Preston Park, Brighton, England, UK
Photo credit: © Miguel Lopez Sanchez / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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