A SEVENTEENTH century engraving is the inspiration behind an ambitious project to transform Dyrham Park’s West Garden.

The 300-year-old picture shows the Baroque manor house, now owned by the National Trust, was once home to a Dutch water garden.

Archaeological works were undertaken to explore areas depicted in the engraving, by Johannes Kip, resulting in the base of a Sphinx statue purchased by Dyrham’s creator William Blathwayt and shown in the engraving, being discovered in the middle of Sphynx court, surrounded by the circular construction of pitch stones.

Work is now underway to recreate some of the lavish designs of the 17th century, a big change from the simpler Victorian formal gardens which had taken their place.

Lead gardener Sarah Jones said: “This project is a new chapter in the garden’s story.

“We will see temporary features and styles as the balance between ongoing development and satisfying visitors’ expectation for exciting and maintained gardens will be met.

“As the work evolves, visitors will find themselves travelling through a series of garden areas, each one reflecting its own character and mood.

“The garden will have greater access for all, to deliver an all year round experience thanks to seasonal planting. See the magnolias in spring, the stunning autumn colour in September and exquisite scented plants in the winter.”

The project, which comes shortly after the house at Dyrham Park was transformed with a new roof, includes new flower beds being marked out on the previously plain lawns. These hand-dug beds have now been planted up with bright, seasonal plants.

New permanent paths have been created which protect the underlying archaeology making the gardens accessible to everybody.

The National Trust took on Dyrham Park in the mid-1950s, and has seen its team of gardeners grow from one to four full-time gardeners plus 70 volunteers. Staff and volunteers have been working together to realise the new vision for the garden following a visit to Palies Het Loo in the Netherlands last year, just as Blathwayt was inspired by the same gardens.

Sarah added: “The face of the gardens have morphed and adapted, displaying trends of its time.

“What once were manicured divisions of space, regressed to a more simple Victorian style, exhibiting sombre, bare lawns bordered with evergreens.

“Over time this became a more Edwardian, flower laden and colourful approach. The cycle of change continued.”

The garden theme continues inside the house with a new exhibition in some previously empty rooms. The King & The Courtier: Dyrham’s Garden Revealed looks at how and why the garden was created by Blathwayt, who served in the court of King William of Orange.

Dyrham Park is situated just off junction 18 of the M4 – 8 miles north of Bath and 12 miles east of Bristol and is open daily from 10am-5pm.