Romano-British Gardens and Music

Gardenvisit.com History Homepage

There is archeological evidence for hundreds of aristocratic gardens in England made by the Romans - but no visual evidence for their character. One can only assume they were northern versions of gardens made in Italy, for which the best 

evidence was preserved by the erutpion of Vesuvius in 79 AD. As well as vegetable gardens, dwellings had enclosed atrium courtyards. As shown on Roman garden paintings, and by Victorian illustrators, they were designed for use and pleasure with: 

• Lush planting

• Wall paintings

• Statues and fountains

• Seats and tables 

• Box topiary (but evidence for the now-popular hedges is lacking)

• Grass, probably in orchards

Pompeii on Gardenvisit.com

Fishbourne Roman Villa on Gardenvisit.com

Roman Baths (Bath)  on Googlemaps and on Wikipedia

Bignor Roman Villa on Googlemaps and on Wikipedia

Chedworth Roman Villa on Googlemaps and on Wikipedia