Author talk on the history of garden visiting at Picton Castle – 21 April

The Most Glorious Prospect: Garden Visiting in Wales 1639-1900 author talk and book signing at Picton Castle at Picton Castle on Saturday 21 April 11am-12.30.pm.

Bettina Harden will be in conversation with Tom Lloyd, OBE, FSA, talking about the research behind her book, concentrating on the history of Picton Castle and other gardens in Pembrokeshire. Tickets £5 redeemable against the price of the book (£30). To book your place contact Picton Castle on 01437 751326 or email info@pictoncastle.co.uk.

The Most Glorious Prospect reveals the historic gardens of Wales as first experienced by contemporary visitors during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

Return to a bygone era of garden visiting and touring, brought to life from travellers’ diaries, letters and journals of the period. Explore the history and tradition of ‘garden visiting’ during 1639-1900 and the beginnings of Welsh tourism. Brilliantly documented and delightfully humorous, this account describes how the great gardens of Wales were first made accessible to the ‘polite world’ before being opened to a wider, middle-class audience.

The book offers a new insight into the social history of the period, with the upper classes following in the tradition of ‘The Grand Tour of Europe’ and basing their routes around the spectacularly designed landscapes The Tour inspired. The popularity of garden visiting gave rise to a number of articles, books and guides – the foundation to future tourism in Wales.

This is an essential read and reference book for anyone interested in the heritage of Wales, the social and economic lifestyles of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, and the lasting significance of the country houses and estates created by its landowners. Generously illustrated with over 200 period paintings, engravings and drawings, this first edition hardback features work from some of the most important collections of British art, many published for the first time.