Bonham, T. Esq. [30].
Boringdon, Lord, [122]. (see [Boringdon Park] and [Saltram])
Boringdon Park, [122]. A deer park belonging to Lord Boringdon. Here are the remains of a mansion built in the fourteenth century, now occupied by a farmer. The park contains about 500 acres, including a great variety of fine scenery.
Borrodaile, —— Esq. [52].
Botley Grange, [212].
Bounds, [14], the property of the Earl of Darnley. The demesne surrounds the park, and consists of about 1000 acres of well-wooded and picturesque land.
Bower House, [199].
Bow Wood, [185], the magnificent seat of the Marquis of Lansdown. The mansion house stands on elevated ground; it consists of three distinct parts, erected at different periods, consequently exhibiting different styles of architecture. The first part was built by John, Earl of Shelburne, grandfather to the present possessor, which, in style of architecture, resembles an Italian villa. The first marquis extended the building by adding a wing, 300 feet in extent, in imitation of a wing of Dioclesian’s palace at Spalatro; this forms the southern side of two quadrangular courts, which are surrounded by domestic offices. The third portion, to the north of the house, but connected with it, consists of a series of private apartments, which are appropriated to visitors. It is situated in an extensive and beautiful park, greatly diversified by nature, and enriched by skilful and judicious cultivation. The principal front faces the south, and commands the most beautiful and richly variegated prospects. It is ornamented with a large portico, supported by columns of the Doric order, with corresponding entablatures, whence a pediment arises, on which the family arms are sculptured in bold relief. The entrance hall, or vestibule, is paved with tesselated marble.
The apartments are fitted up in the most elegant style, and many are ornamented with valuable pictures and drawings.
The park and pleasure grounds of Bow-wood are very extensive, environed by plantations, arranged in the most tasteful and elegant varieties. A noble lake, which covers the space of about thirty acres, expands its pellucid waters in the front of the mansion, delightfully heightening the beauties of the surrounding scenery. This expanse of water is divided into two branches, one of which, after flowing a considerable distance under a fine hanging wood, is lost to the view by a circuitous course round a beautiful mass of plantation: the other recedes behind an elevated part of the lawn. At the northern extremity of the lake is a rock, through which the water issues in several broken streams, which, though artificial, have the wildness and picturesque effect of nature in the most uncultivated state. These united cascades fall in one sheet against some projecting stones of irregular shapes. In these rocks are also contained several subterraneous passages, whose dark openings, being in perfect unison with the noise of the waters and the seclusion of the spot, renders this a scene at once sublime, and beautifully awful. The rocks also contain a vast number of petrifactions. In the arrangements and distribution of ornaments in these grounds, nature has been suffered to revel unconfined, guided, but not fettered, by art, only sufficient to render her works, if possible, still more delightful. Here is a mausoleum consecrated to the memory of John, Earl of Shelburne. It is situated on an eminence, enveloped in a deep and silent grove, judiciously appropriated to the solemnity of the scene, and contains a monument of marble, with a suitable inscription.