Victorian Conservatory

Bowles kept seawater tanks in the Victorian conservatory. He filled them with seaweed, sea urchins and fish. Each week the seawater was changed. It came from barrels that were brought by rail to the local station. Bowles also kept rocks and minerals inside the conservatory. – He collected many of these during his plant hunting expeditions. You can still see some of them in there, [OU1] along with other curiosities. - There is a carved stone, which came from the old St Paul’s Cathedral that burnt down in the Great Fire of London. And there is an 18th century lead cistern that Bowles used to hold rainwater for his fern collection.[OU2]

These objects are just an example of the numerous items that Bowles brought to Myddelton, to add interest and variety to his garden. You will come across many more as you explore the grounds. Let’s hear from Wesley Kerr, the chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund committee:

Wesley Kerr :

Myddleton house, very much, in its 4 acres embodies that idea of the genius of place. The water courses, the rocks, the hills in the distance, the mansion. But it’s also a cabinet of curiosities of architectural ornaments like the old market cross, the ancient walls, the Irishman’s shirt, the outbuildings and they all move to a forefront at different times of the year when the planting near them makes you look at them.