Feature: Stunning landscapes created by England's Capability Brown given new protected status

by Larry Neild

LONDON, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- England's rolling countryside has been captured over the centuries by many celebrated landscape artists.

One man stands out in history as Britain's leading and most influential landscape designer. Capability Brown is responsible for moulding large swathes of England parks into the sweeping views and picturesque lakes people know and love to this day.

According to Historic England, his landscapes are reckoned among the country's most important contributions to European civilization.

Brown dominated his profession in the 1700s and was prolific. His work is everywhere, so naturalistic was his approach that many of the parks affected by his design are often mistaken for landscapes untouched by the hand of man.

To celebrate the 300th anniversary this year of Brown's birth, Historic England is celebrating his work as the country's most important 18th century gardener.

The government's cultural watchdog is recognising and protecting his work by adding two Capability Brown-designed parks and gardens to a national heritage list and re-listing seven other sites to emphasis their importance to the English landscape.

Added to the list is Stoke Place in the county of Buckinghamshire, described as an amazing survivor on the outskirts of the town of Slough, designed during the height of his career in the mid-1760s.

Also added is Peper Harow Park near Godalming, Surrey which was landscaped by Brown in the 1760s to emphasise the grandeur of Peper Harow House designed by eminent architect Sir William Chambers. The park is home to a cricket pitch which held one of the first ever recorded cricket games in 1727.

Wilderness House at Hampton Court Palace on the outskirts of London has been upgraded to Grade II listing to reflect its importance as the home of Capability Brown during his time as Master Gardener to King George III. Brown is credited with planting the Great Vine at Hampton Court in 1768, the largest grape vine in the world.

"Historic England hopes to increase awareness of their historic value and encourage everyone to treat these special places with due care," said a spokesman for the agency.

Government Heritage Minister Tracey Crouch said: "Capability Brown was a pioneer in landscape design, whose stunning work is still revered 300 years on at beautiful locations throughout the country."

Dr Roger Bowdler from Historic England said: "Lancelot Brown was one of the great creative forces of Georgian England. He brought a lyrical eye to the landscape and envisioned how nature could be improved upon. Historic England is proud to help protect even more of his wonderful parks."

An ongoing Capability Brown Festival is taking place at various sites across the country to mark the gardener's 300th anniversary.

Festival director Ceryl Evans said: "People have been enjoying Brown's quintessential British landscapes for hundreds of years, and now, with this special status, the sites will be protected for generations to come."