This is The Dean Garnier Garden in the Cathedral Close at Winchester (where yesterday's rose is to be seen). I came upon it by chance as I'd been heading for the Cathedral itself only to find that it was temporarily closed to the public as a memorial service was in progress, so I walked on round to the south side of the building and found, up some steps and beyond a 13th. century doorway, this very beautiful and tranquil spot (there are more pictures here).
It lies on the site of a Benedictine monastery - on what was the monks' dormitory, to be exact - and it commemorates 'The Gardening Dean', Thomas Garnier (1776-1873), a botanist and Dean of Winchester.
The sculpture in the central picture is by Charles Normandale and is of fish, the symbol for Christ, "rising from a rock and ascending into heaven". Note also the stone fox curled up under the bench.
Lovely. Winchester is an endlessly beguiling town, so layered with history that it makes my neck prickle.
Posted by: Dancing Beastie | 28 June 2013 at 07:59 PM
Yes, the more I explore, the more I want to explore, and I missed some choice parts this time.
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 June 2013 at 08:26 PM