Gardens at Ravensworth Castle. 363 



Art. II. Short Notices of the Gardens at Ravensivorth Castle, the 



Seat of Lord Ravenstvorth ; and of Gibside, the Seat of Botoes, 



Esq. M.P.for South Durham. By G. W. 



Ravensworth Castle is pleasantly situated in the middle of 

 an extensive park, which is very much beautified by the diversity 

 of its surface, and the excellence of its woods. It slopes to the 

 east ; and presents a noble appearance when seen from the 

 towns of Newcastle and Gateshead, each distant about three 

 miles. Lord Ravensworth, the noble proprietor, when not 

 attending his parliamentary duties, resides constantly at the 

 castle ; which is a splendid modern building, enriched by a 

 magnificent conservatory attached to the west end. This con- 

 servatory is entered from the library, by a door, which, before 

 it is opened, resembles a bookcase; and, to strangers, it is an 

 agreeable surprise to be ushered from a library suddenly into 

 the midst of odoriferous plants, where they may contemplate the 

 works of nature developing themselves in numerous forms. The 

 interior of the conservatory comprises two square borders, con- 

 taining many excellent exotics; and two fine specimens of the 

 Acacia decurrens, planted at each end, which meet in the centre 

 of the roof. An extensive terrace bounds the south front. The 

 disposition of the flower-beds on the lawn, the broad gravel walk 

 extending the entire length of the castle, and the borders for 

 half-hardy shrubs and climbers, are all in good taste. The old 

 castle, now in ruins, with its " ivy-mantled towers," seen from 

 the terrace, presents a singular contrast to its more modern 

 neighbour. 



The garden is approached by numerous serpentine walks, 

 bordered with the finer kinds of shrubs. One walk leads past 

 a pond inhabited by several species of foreign fowls, and having 

 an island and rustic domicile in the middle of it. The garden 

 is extensive; but the soil, a tenacious clay, is not well suited for 

 the growth of vegetables. The forcing department consists of 

 numerous pine-stoves, peach-houses, &c. ; with a large double- 

 staged green-house, one for pelargoniums [there is a pelar- 

 gonium of merit called Lord Ravensworth], the other for 

 heaths. The door is in the front ; opposite to which there are 

 two, and, at the ends of the stages, several, very fine plants of 

 the different kinds of Fuchsm, fixed to posts. Nothing can equal 

 the beauty and splendour of these plants when they are in full 

 bloom. 



In the melon ground there is a pit exclusively used for fruit- 

 ing the queen pine, by a method not yet generally adopted in 

 iarge establishments ; but which is said to be very advantageous, 

 as that kind fruits much sooner than any other. Ravensworth 



c c 4 



