Views in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Northamptonshire/Whittlebury Forest
Their honor'd leaves the green oaks rear'd,
And crown'd the uplands graceful swell,
While answering thro' the vale was heard,
Each distant heifers tinkling bell.
In Northamptonshire, was a grant from the crown in the year 1685, to the Duke of Grafton, who was made hereditary keeper. The forest is well stocked with timber, and presents a beautiful variety of groves, lawns, and upland swells, enlivened by numerous herds of deer and flocks of sheep. There are several lodges on the Forest; the principal of them is Wakefield Lodge, which is frequently the residence of the Duke and his family. It was built by Mr. Claypole, son-in-law to the Protector Cromwell; but many alterations and additions have been made at subsequent periods. The edifice in its present state has a handsome portico in front, supported on four columns of the Tuscan order, and leads to a grand saloon, which occupies nearly the whole area of the building. The grounds about the house are admirably adapted to answer the purposes of utility and pleasure. The gardens are extensive and in excellent order. There is an uncommonly fine grove called the Pheasantry, through which is a winding path of a mile and a half in circuit, affording a most agreeable walk from the house, as it terminates at a short distance from its beginning.
The View is taken from a rising ground nearly two miles from the Lodge, in the front of which is seen a piece of water containing eighteen acres: in the distance on the left is Bow-Brick Hill, in Buckinghamshire. Near the back of the house two or three noble glades concentrate, which branch out in different directions through the extent of the forest. Bloomfield, who spent some time at the Lodge in August 1800, expresses the particular delight he found in taking a prospect of the country at the extremity of this wood:
Genius of the forest shades.
Sweet from the heights of thy domain,
When the grey evening shadow fades,
To view the country's golden grain;
To view the gleaming village spire,
'Midst distant groves unknown to me,
Groves that, grown bright in borrow'd fire.
Bow o'er the peopled vales to thee!
Wake's Oak.
Where was thy Elfin train that play.
Round Wake's huge Oak their fav'rite tree.
by lightning; the tower only remains. Wake's Oak is reckoned about eight yards in circumference: its age cannot be ascertained, and the origin of its name is equally obscure.