Photograph of the conservatory and grounds at Avington Park, Avington
Taken about 1880
The photograph shows a gentleman and two ladies, probably members of the Shelley family, in front of the conservatory at Avington Park, a country estate three miles north-east of Winchester. In the background to the right is a fountain which was brought to Avington from Canons Park in Middlesex by the Duke of Chandos in 1760.
The conservatory had been rebuilt following damage to the original structure in a fire in 1830. It reputedly incorporated pillars from the banqueting hall dating to the time when Charles II stayed at Avington Park while his Palace was being built in Winchester.
The photograph was taken by Winchester photographer William Savage (1817-87) and is found in an album entitled 'Hampshire Views of Churches, Country Houses and Public Buildings'.
See WILLIAM SAVAGE for further details of his life and work.
