The east front of the hall is adorned with a raised terrace, from whence,
sloping to an extensive piece of water, and intersected by walks, extend
the flower gardens and pleasure grounds, which cover a space of 50 acres.
The extensive pleasure grounds and gardens are laid out with admirable
taste; the conservatory, recently erected, is a most beautiful
construction, and forms an attractive object. At the termination of a
fine gravel walk, and opposite to the conservatory, a Gothic temple has
been built for the reception of a Roman altar, discovered near Chester,
1821. The Mosaic pavement of the temple was brought from a palace of the
Emperor Tiberius, in the island of Caprie, by Lord Robert Grosvenor.
The stables, which form a large quadrangle on the north side of the hall,
are erected in a style of architecture correspondent with that of the
house, and are separated from it by a small shrubbery.
An elegant iron bridge of 150 feet span, crossing the river Dee, which
runs through a part of the grounds, is likewise a real embellishment to
the landscape. This bridge is exceedingly ornamental; it was erected by
Hazledine, at an expense of about £8,000. From each point by which Eaton
Hall is approached, it presents a picture of unusual architectural
grandeur: the scenery by which the hall is surrounded heightens the
effect; westward, the view embraces the mountains of Wales; and to the
east appear the Peckforton hills, with the bold rock on which stand the
ruins of Beeston Castle. The river Dee, winding in various directions,
imparts great beauty to the varied and extensive landscape.
The noble house of Grosvenor traces its descent through a long line of
illustrious ancestors, who flourished in Normandy with dignity and
splendour, from the time it was created a sovereign Dukedom, in the year
912, to the conquest of England in 1066, always ranking with the first
nobles, and having had the government of many castles and strongholds in
that Duchy. The founder of this ancient house was uncle of Rollo, the
famous Dane, and was one of the principal commanders who, in the year
876, accompanied him in his invasion of England. William, seventh Duke
of Normandy, at the time of his descent upon England, in 1066, was
accompanied by his twin brother Robert, afterwards Earl of Cornwall, and
Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, afterwards Earl of Kent; he had also, for his
immediate attendants, his nephew, Hugh Lupus, afterwards Earl of Chester,
and Gilbert le Grosvenor, nephew to Hugh.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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