The Ornamental Benches

An ornamental bench in the foreground of the meadow at A la Ronde, Devon. — The bench, path and meadow in perfect harmony. | © National Trust / David Collings

As part of installing the Perimeter Path at A la Ronde, there was an exciting opportunity to reimagine the intentions of the original owners, Jane and Mary Parminter, by including a series of ornamental benches in the plans. A callout went out to craft workers, carpenters, furniture makers, metal workers and artists seeking original designs which would enhance the designed landscape providing points of interest for visitors and places to pause, reflect and take in the beautiful views of the house or wider landscape views.

Mary Parminter’s will mentions ‘ornamental seats’ within the grounds at A la Ronde:
‘…urn obelisk obelisk pump fountain shellary hothouse greenhouses and ornamental seats which shall be in or about my gardens shrubbery walks and grounds…’

We require pieces that not only provide accessible and functional seating but are points of interest, engaging visitors, encouraging exploration and providing ‘destinations’. This is an opportunity to create something relevant to the place, to the local environment, to respond to the history, stories and characters associated with the house and estate and to the surrounding landscape.

Perimeter Path Bugle Hole Bench on the Perimeter Path at A la Ronde, Devon. — Bugle Hole Bench, Peter Lanyon, on the Perimeter Path, A la Ronde, Devon | © National Trust / David Collings

Seats may be contemporary or historical in design, creative, playful, and ‘ornamental’ in any sense. They may be of any scale, material or combination of materials but they must be appropriate to place. They must provide for functional use by a diversity of users and will be part of enhancing the experience of all our visitors.

Wishbone Bench by Peter Lanyon on the Perimeter Path at A la Ronde, Devon — Wishbone Bench by Peter Lanyon on the Perimeter Path, A la Ronde, Devon. | © National Trust / David Collings

Peter Lanyon Furniture

From his workshop in South Devon, Peter an award-winning furniture maker likes a slow and sustainable method of working with traditional tools.

Sharpham Bench by Peter Lanyon on the Perimeter Path, A la Ronde, Devon. | © National Trust / David Collings

Peter selects wood from a local forest and likes each piece of wood to tell its own story and you can see that in the three finished benches we have at A la Ronde.

Perimeter Path Bench by Matt Coe on the Perimeter Path, A la Ronde, Devon. | © National Trust / David Collings

Matt Coe, Dingle Design

A blacksmith for over 25 years, Matt works from his forge just outside Crediton. Matt is inspired by the natural world and incorporates natural forms into his pieces. A fascination with design and creating objects of a practical nature with an inherent beauty which can be seen in the two benches he has made for us.

Perimeter Path benches, Matt Coe, A la Ronde, Devon. | © National Trust / David Collings

The five beautiful ornamental benches we commissioned were put into place around the meadow perimeter path in July 2024.

The interior of the cabinet of curiosities in the Library at A la Ronde, Devon.

Exhibition

The Compendium

The Compendium is a collection of stories to delight and surprise. You can explore all things A la Ronde here in one central place for the first time. We will be adding new stories for years to come.

Aerial image of the House, Grounds and Barn at A la Ronde, Devon.

Article

The Estate

Learn more about the estate at A la Ronde. With views over the countryside to the Exe estuary, the estate is as beautiful and varied as the house itself.