Adventures from Across the Pond: Ralph Allen and Prior Park

I just got back from visiting the English cottage, Prior Park, owned and built by Ralph Allen, the controller of all Bath stone and quarrying in the 18th century. It was one of the coolest country houses I have ever seen .... it makes Westover and Shirley look wimpy!!

Ralph Allen was responsible for owning and controlling the Bath stone industry. He's the major reason why much of Georgian Bath looks the way it does since he sold the stone that makes up the buildings. He created a tramway that would transport stone back and forth from the quarries and invested a great deal of money into the city's construction economy.

His house at Prior Park was used as a showplace where visitors to Bath could get great views of the city and hopefully be inspired to build their own country estate out of Bath stone. The estate has beautiful gardens and two Palladian bridges - one of which is an exact copy of a bridge from the Quattro Libre.

Here are some pictures from this really cool place ... the images just don't do it justice. To think, I live walking distance (1/2 mile) from this awesome house!! Take a left out of my front gate and keep on walking and this is where you end up:

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk126/kklasd/IMG_0608.jpg
Prior Park

Palladian-inspired bridge

Prior Park

Bridge

Remains of Mrs. Allen's grotto: 18th century women would keep a grotto on their property, a place where a local hermit or monk would live who was responsible for keeping up casual conversation with the owner's guest. No joke! They'd have hermits to converse with ... not sure what the point of that is ...