Statue of Atlanta : Somerleyton Hall

We are pleased to have been successful in gaining consent for a pool garden at Somerleyton Hall in Suffolk. The pool is to be the central feature in a new water garden which is part of the restoration and improvement of the gardens and Hall. The Hall and gardens are both grade 2* listed. The project involved gaining consent to relocate a grade 2 listed statue of Altanta.  In Greek mythology Atlanta has a rather gruesome reputation. She insisted that her any potential husbands had to beat her in a running race, and any that lost were beheaded. As she was one of the fastest mortals the heads stacked up! Her eventual suitor carried apples with him, and when Atlanta caught up with him, he tossed an apple at her feet. Atlanta stooped to pick up the apple and lost the race. The statue of Atlanta at the Hall is a graceful figure picking up an apple.

This project involved detailed discussions between ourselves, Historic England, and East Suffolk Conservation Officers. We worked with the renowned garden designer George Carter who prepared the designs. A detailed justification was needed to firstly gain support for the new pool, and then to move the statue which was individually listed in its own right. It is unusual to gain consent to move any listed structure. Key to achieving this was creating a positive scheme which would enhance the listed Hall and gardens.