There was a time when it was the height of fashion for the grand landowners in the UK to have a romantic ruin in the grounds of their estate. One spectacular example is Fountains Abbey in the grounds of Fountains Hall, North Yorkshire, now a world heritage site. Not every landowner had a ruin conveniently close to their grand house, so the solution then was to create one.
This example of a ruin was created by the landowners (The Nicholson family) in the grounds of what is now Roundhay Park, Leeds. It was built in 1811 by local master builder George Nettleton to give the appearance of a castle gatehouse. It originally had a wooden roof and an upper room, and was used as a summerhouse, a sewing room for the Nicholson girls, and for social functions such as dinners.
Now part of the park, it is very popular with children visiting the park, and it gives a nice view towards Waterloo Lake.
This is so interesting!!! How very neat it must have been to have a structure such as this on your property, especially since it actually had a use. I love the idea. fav
Thank you all for your comments and favs, which got this shot onto the popular page.
I hope you've enjoyed this brief visit to Roundhay Park - I certainly enjoyed going back to visit after a gap of something like 25 years!
Ian