Capability Brown and the Ashridge Estate (1761-68)

Interesting historical records can turn up anywhere - and more and more are ending up on specialist web sites. The above account book entry relates to the Duke of Bridgewater's account when Capability Brown was laying out the Ashridge Estate. You may read the account book on the Royal Horticultural Society's web site. 

More About Ashridge

If you have found some interesting historical documents about Hertfordshire on an unexpected web site why not share the information by commenting below.

The Parks and Gardens of West Hertfordshire

The Parks and Gardens of West Hertfordshire is one of the excellent books published by the Hertfordshire Gardens Trust. It is well illustrated, with many garden plans, some dating back to the eighteenth century. Over 40 West Herts parks and gardens are mentions, in some cases in considerable detail. I was most impressed with the information on Tring Park, where I was walking only a few days ago.

If your ancestors were associated with one of the larger houses in the area, perhaps even as a gardener, this book could be of particular interest, and by getting a copy from the Trust you would be helping the excellent research into historic gardens which they are doing.