Fonthill Splendens Lake

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This lake was the focus of the 18th century picturesque landscape garden created as the setting for the classical mansion built in 1755 for William Beckford senior. Following the demolition of Fonthill Splendens and its replacement by Fonthill Abbey on the top of the hill the style of the garden was changed.

Originally the garden was laid out as a 'Brownian" landscape typical of standard 18th century taste, after 1795 the grounds were redesigned in a more 'sublime' manner and were planted with a large number of cedars and pine tress from North America. This new landscape was more exciting, moody and dark in feeling to set off the new gothic house.

These pine plantations are still a feature of this landsacpe as can be seen from the aerial photograph.