Last night I didn’t dream I went to Rousham – I really went (again) a few days ago.
Rousham’s USPs are that it was built in 1635 for Sir Robert Dormer and is still in the same family and the garden is unchanged since it was designed by William Kent in 1738. You probably know William was christened William Cant in 1686 in Bridlington. In 1709 he realised a slip of the quill could be embarrassing and changed his name to Kent.
I like my enigmatic composition. The sculpture is Lion and Horse by Peter Sheemaker, a prolific Flemish creator of public and church sculptures.
The Stubbs and the sculpture are strikingly similar. My guess is the subject was an 18th century trope.
Now I could bore the pants off you with all the photographs I took or I could let Monty Don show you round. The latter is carried by acclamation.