Russell Page Archive: Badminton Estate

A pencil drawing on tracing paper dated June 1965, marked 'Sketch for a garden arch for David Somerset Esq, scale 1" to 1 foot'. Although the dimensions are included, there is a note by Page that suggests they (or another aspect of the design) might be altered: ‘Note this will have to be redrawn I fear before execution'.

Scope and Content: An ink and pencil drawing on paper of a stone archway (scale '1 inch to 1 foot). There is a sketch of a figure within the arch, presumably to give an indication of the scale. Undated, it is likely to be a preliminary drawing for RP/1/1/2/20.

An ink and pencil drawing on paper of a stone archway. Some of the dimensions are included. Undated, it is likely to be a preliminary drawing for RP/1/1/2/20.

A pencil and ink design on tracing paper dated June 1965 (scale 10ft = 1 inch). It shows a plan for the kitchen garden (referred to as a potager on the drawing) with details about the location and width of pathways, recommendations for hedges and fruit trees, and the location of a trellis arbour (see RP/1/1/2/15).

Scope and Content: A pencil design on tracing paper dated 1966, marked ‘Preliminary sketch plan for a walled garden at the Cottage Badminton, scale 1/8" = 1 foot’. The plan shows the walled flower garden which leads off the kitchen garden. Suggestions for planting and colour schemes are included: mainly pink and white with no blue flowers. Roses, peonies, hollyhocks and tulips are among the flowers mentioned. Page also notes that the paths will not be symmetrical due to the positioning of the central axis.

A dyeline design dated July 1967, marked ‘The Cottage Badminton, suggestions only'. Several elements of the garden design are shown: a pool, an obelisk and a circle of trees (planted as lime trees).

A dyeline design with added pencil dated July 1967, marked ‘The Cottage Badminton, suggestions only'. This is the same drawing as RP/1/1/2/6 but with an additional pencil sketch of the walled and kitchen gardens.

A pencil design on tracing paper dated February 1969, marked ‘The Cottage Badminton, First sketch for arbour at the crossing of kitchen garden paths, scale 1" = 1 foot, total height 12ft, width about 9ft 4".’ The wooden arbour was designed for the centre of the kitchen garden (see RP/1/1/2/12). The drawing shows an elevation of one side of the octagonal structure, and a plan of the roof.

A pencil design on tracing paper dated 30 May 1972, marked ‘The Cottage Badminton, Suggested lay out for herb garden, scale 1/2 inch = 1 foot'. The plan shows the layout of the paths and flowerbeds (with dimensions) in the herb garden. A low hedge of sweet briar is indicated. There are also cross sections of walls shown.

A pencil design on tracing paper of the herb garden. Undated it was presumably drawn up around the same time as RP/1/1/2/17, which is identified as being a design for the herb garden and dated 30 May 1972. The flower beds and pathways are marked (with dimensions).

A dyeline design dated September 1979, showing elevations and plan of a dovecote. Information about its dimensions and siting within the garden are given. Page’s handwritten notes on the drawing relate to practicalities, such as where the structure is to be positioned and how big it should be. There are also references to it being built on or around an existing retaining wall.

An ink and pencil design on tracing paper dated September 1979, marked ‘The Cottage Badminton, Plan for ground work of proposed new garden; scale 1/4 inch = 1 foot’. The plan shows the built elements of the new garden, with details about the location and construction of walls, steps and paving.

An ink and pencil design on tracing paper dated September 1979, marked ‘The Cottage Badminton, Revised sketch plan, scale 1/4 inch = 1 foot'. The plan shows the new garden at the Cottage, and relates closely to RP/1/12/13. A fountain pool, Caisse de Versailles and some plants are shown.

A pencil and coloured pencil design on paper. Undated, there are no annotations identifying to which the part of the garden it relates. The shape of the site, however, suggests that it is a drawing for the new garden Page designed at the Cottage (see RP/1/1/2/13 and RP/1/1/2/14) and might be a preliminary sketch plan.

An ink design on paper, marked on the verso ‘Masterplan for the cottage garden’. Undated, it may well have been a preliminary drawing as the paper appears to be from a sketchbook.

An undated ink and brown pencil sketch of the garden titled, 'Badminton'. The drawing appears to show the Cottage garden, as in the Masterplan (RP/1/1/2/22) but with a different layout.

An ink and coloured pencil drawing on paper of a circular pool surrounded by trees. Undated, this appears to be on paper from a sketchbook and may well have been an early design.

A pencil and coloured pencil design on tracing paper. Undated, it appears to show Badminton House’s East Front garden. If it is an early drawing for this section of the gardens, it was likely to have been executed in 1984.

A pen and coloured ink design dated February 1984, marked ‘East Front Badminton, Preliminary sketch plan, not to scale'. The plan shows a suggested layout for the East Front garden, with formal flowerbeds and trees included.

A dyeline design dated 6 March 1984, marked ‘East front variation, Badminton’. The plan shows an alternative, simplified layout for the East Front garden (see RP/1/1/2/10) with three rectangular lawns and one large, oval lawn.

A dyeline design dated March 1984, marked ‘Badminton, East Front, Sketch No.2, approx scale 1/16" = 1 foot'. The plan shows a variation on the East Front design with rectangular sections.

A pencil design on tracing paper dated 18 May 1984, marked ‘Badminton, 1/16 = 1".’ The plan shows another suggested layout for the East Front garden.

A dyeline design with additions in red pencil dated 10 March 1984, marked ‘Badminton South Front, Scale 1/ 16" = 1', Sketch No.1’. The plan shows a suggested layout for the South Front; trees and a rose field are indicated.

An undated dyeline plan of the ground floor of Badminton House showing the individual rooms and the location of the church (scale 16ft to 1 inch). A rough sketch of a tree has been drawn in the area where the south garden would be.

A dyeline plan drawn up by architect Philip Jebb, dated 17 April 1984: ‘Badminton House, 536/12, First floor, Draft layout of services, scale 1/8" = 1'-0" approx’. A rough pencil sketch of a section of garden has been added (yew and box hedges are indicated).