The Ornamental Benches
![An ornamental bench in the foreground of the meadow at A la Ronde, Devon.](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/devon/places/a-la-ronde/library/built-heritage-history-and-collections/perimeter-path-bench-and-meadow-a-la-ronde-devon.jpg?auto=webp&width=767&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
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.](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/devon/places/a-la-ronde/library/built-heritage-history-and-collections/bugle-hole-bench-peter-lanyon-a-la-ronde-devon.jpg?auto=webp&width=676&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
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](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/devon/places/a-la-ronde/library/built-heritage-history-and-collections/wishbone-bench-peter-lanyon-a-la-ronde-devon.jpg?auto=webp&width=443&crop=9:16&dpr=2 2x)
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.](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/devon/places/a-la-ronde/library/built-heritage-history-and-collections/sharpham-bench-peter-lanyon-a-la-ronde-devon.jpg?auto=webp&width=676&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
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.](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/devon/places/a-la-ronde/library/built-heritage-history-and-collections/perimeter-path-bench-matt-coe-a-la-ronde-devon.jpg?auto=webp&width=676&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
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.](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/devon/places/a-la-ronde/library/built-heritage-history-and-collections/perimeter-path-benches-matt-coe-a-la-ronde-devon.jpg?auto=webp&width=676&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
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.](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/devon/places/a-la-ronde/library/built-heritage-history-and-collections/14784951.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
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.](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/devon/places/a-la-ronde/library/built-heritage-history-and-collections/aerial-image-of-a-la-ronde-devon-1763220.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
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.
![The reinstated perimeter path at A la Ronde, Devon.](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/devon/places/a-la-ronde/library/built-heritage-history-and-collections/reinstated-perimeter-path-a-la-ronde-devon.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Meadow Perimeter Path
Find out more about the Perimeter Path at A la Ronde and the project's aims to reinstate this garden feature.
![Beautiful spring garden scene in the garden at A la Ronde, with tulips and bluebells](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/devon/places/a-la-ronde/library/spring/a-la-ronde-springtime-flowers-1145196.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Our Project - A la Ronde: Conserving the Past, Creating the Future
In 2022 we embarked on a major project to transform A la Ronde’s offer for our visitors, volunteers, and local community.