English: Rousham Gardens: Venus's Vale The landscaped gardens at Rousham House were laid out by William Kent from 1738. They are the most complete surviving example of his landscape work. Although not the earliest 'picturesque' English landscape garden, Rousham was much visited and very influential. In contrast to the enclosed formal gardens of the 17th century it is an informal arrangement of winding paths on a north-facing slope down to the strangely angular course of the River Cherwell, the 'genius of the place': a difficult site which Kent turned to advantage. Statues and buildings of a classical flavour are revealed as events and focal points in an all-green setting of trees and shrubs. Kent made this compact garden seem larger than it is by creating views to features beyond it: the church, the mediaeval Heyford Bridge, the corn mill and the meadow across the river and, up on the hill, a bogus ruin, an example of an 'eyecatcher'. See 77685 in SP4826 for an excellent rear view by Jon S. The structures were a series of cascades; they await restoration.